OLED Encapsulation: introduction and market status - Page 24

Among the patents now allowed in the US is a patent relating to OLEDs which comprise hole transport, electron transport and emissive components, using type II interfaces, contained in the same molecule. This is believed to be of considerable importance in the context of the printing of OLED devices. Molecules containing 'type II' interfaces are believed to be important in achieving high efficiency display devices.

Other new US patents allowed include a patent relating to the use of a dielectric barrier layer over the key emissive layer to protect it from damage due to sputtering of a conductive layer. This is expected to have important application in top emitting devices in which the light does not have to pass between the transistors but, more efficiently, through a transparent cathode structure.

Signaling the first commercial acceptance surrounding its barrier technology, Vitex Systems Inc., today announced it has received its inaugural order -- worth more than $2 million from a major Japanese corporation.

The flagship order is for one of the company's Guardian deposition systems and its proprietary Barix(TM) thin-film barrier coating solution, both of which will be used by the Japanese company for research and development on next-generation OLED displays and materials.

Vitex's Barix thin-film encapsulation, applied with its Guardian tool, enables the display manufacturer to deposit, in-situ, a planarizing Barix coating directly on top of the OLED material on the glass substrate thereby, eliminating the requirement for a sealed metal can or glass cavity lid with internal desiccant. This provides a much thinner, lighter and more robust display at a reduced manufacturing cost. Vitex's Guardian tool combines an in-line vacuum polymer deposition chamber and a ceramic deposition chamber that can be customized to interface with essentially any manufacturing equipment used to produce OLED displays, such as cluster tools and in-line deposition systems.

Vitex Systems announced that it has been awarded an R&D contract from the U.S. Display Consortium (USDC) to scale up its flexible glass substrate technology to roll-type manufacturing for producing flexible OLED displays.

Vitex has developed a thin-film encapsulation solution, called Barix, to resolve moisture and oxygen sensitivity problems common in flexible substrates. Under this new USDC contract, Vitex will explore producing the flexible glass substrate on a high-volume, roll-to-roll manufacturing line with the improved barrier performance and lower defect levels needed to meet stringent quality requirements associated with producing OLED displays.

Articus announced it will merge with Canada's Nova-Plasma (NPI), a provider of High-Barrier and Ultra-High Barrier ("UHB") coatings and processes to the flap panel display industry.

Articus says that NPI's patented technology will enable the full-scale deployment of OLED / PLED displays by ensuring device protection from oxygen and water vapor. This technology suits flexible OLED panels. The merged company is seeking investment and strategic relationships, needed to "take leading position" in UHB material market.

Vitex Systems announced it is established a new subsidiary in Japan, to be named Vitex Systems KK.

The new subsidiary will provide development and support capabilities surrounding Vitex's thin-film barrier coating and flexible substrate technology for OLED display makers in Japan.