Functional Materials and Devices

Organic large area electronics (OLAE) promise a much higher cost-effectiveness than conventional silicon-based electronics.

OLAE − printing

Different printing techniques are used to produce organic electronic components. The challenge is to separate very thin closed layers of solution. The component layers are typically only 10 to 100 nm thick which requires the separation of solution films that are only µm thick. Inkjet printing and slot die coating are two printing techniques which are able to achieve this. Gravure printing, screen printing and squeegee techniques are being evaluated as methods for separating individual layers. These are being tested in both sheet-to-sheet and roll-to-roll geometries.

OLAE − characterization

There is an array of measuring technology available for characterizing organic electronic components. These include a spectrometer for determining the quantum efficiency of fluorescent molecules and a device for recording current-luminance-voltage characteristics of OLEDs from which parameters such as brightness, operating current and voltage and the efficiency of components can be derived. A similar test site is also available for characterizing solar cells under defined radiation. Moreover the lifespan of OLEDs can be established for continuous and intermittent operation. There is also a calcium testing site for characterizing barrier layers.