U.S. patent application number 10/077760 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for organic light emitting device with constant luminance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Koyama, Jun.
Application Number | 20040144978 10/077760 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18911573 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040144978 |
Kind Code |
A2 |
Koyama, Jun |
July 29, 2004 |
ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE WITH CONSTANT LUMINANCE
Abstract
A display device capable of keeping the luminance constant
irrespective of temperature change is provided as well as a method
of driving the display device. A current mirror circuit composed of
transistors is placed in each pixel. A first transistor and a
second transistor of the current mirror circuit are connected such
that the drain current of the first transistor is kept in
proportion to the drain current of the second transistor
irrespective of the load resistance value. The drain current of the
first transistor is controlled by a driving circuit in accordance
with a video signal and the drain current of the second transistor
is caused to flow into an OLED, thereby controlling the OLED drive
current and the luminance of the OLED.
Inventors: |
Koyama, Jun; (Kanagawa-Ken,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
1425 K STREET, N.W.
11TH FLOOR
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-3500
US
|
Assignee: |
Semiconductor Energy Laboratory
Co., Ltd.
398 Hase Atsugi-shi
Kanagawa-ken
JP
243-0036
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 0189206 A1 |
October 9, 2003 |
|
|
Family ID: |
18911573 |
Appl. No.: |
10/077760 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
257/59 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 2300/0842 20130101;
G09G 3/3283 20130101; G09G 2320/0266 20130101; H01L 27/3211
20130101; G09G 3/2022 20130101; G09G 2320/043 20130101; G09G
2300/0426 20130101; G09G 3/3241 20130101; G09G 2300/0809 20130101;
H01L 27/3244 20130101; G09G 3/3266 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
257/059 |
International
Class: |
H01L 031/036 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 26, 2001 |
JP |
2001-050644 |
Claims
What is Claimed is:
1. What is claimed is:1. A light emitting device comprising:a
first, second, and third transistors, each comprising a source
region, a drain region, and a gate electrode;an organic light
emitting diode; anda power supply line,wherein source regions of
the first and second transistors are connected to the power supply
line,wherein the gate electrode of the first transistor is
connected to the gate electrode of the second transistor and to the
drain region of the second transistor;wherein the source region of
the third transistor is connected to the drain region of the second
transistor and the drain region of the third transistor is
connected to a pixel electrode of the organic light emitting
diode,wherein the first, second, and third transistors operate in a
saturation range, andwherein the drain region of the first
transistor and a gate electrode of the third transistor are
connected to each other for a certain period in one frame
period.
2. A light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the first,
second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
3. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 1, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
4. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, and third
transistors, each comprising a source region, a drain region, and a
gate electrode;an organic light emitting diode; anda power supply
line,wherein the source regions of the first and second transistors
are connected to the power supply line,wherein the gate electrode
of the first transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the
second transistor and to the drain region of the second
transistor,wherein the source region of the third transistor is
connected to the drain region of the second transistor and the
drain region of the third transistor is connected to a pixel
electrode of the organic light emitting diode,wherein the first,
second, and third transistors operate in a saturation range,wherein
the drain region of the first transistor and the gate electrode of
the third transistor are connected to each other for a certain
period in one frame period, andwherein the amount of drain current
of the first transistor is controlled while the drain region of the
first transistor and the gate electrode of the third transistor are
connected to each other in order to control the luminance of the
organic light emitting diode.
5. A light emitting device according to claim 4, wherein the first,
second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
6. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 4, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
7. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, and third
transistor, each comprising a source region, a drain region, and a
gate electrode;an organic light emitting diode; anda power supply
line,wherein the source regions of the first and second transistors
are connected to the power supply line,wherein the gate electrode
of the first transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the
second transistor and to the drain region of the second
transistor,wherein the source region of the third transistor is
connected to the drain region of the second transistor and the
drain region of the third transistor is connected to a pixel
electrode of the organic light emitting diode,wherein the first,
second, and third transistors operate in a saturation range,wherein
the drain region of the first transistor and the gate electrode of
the third transistor are connected to each other for a certain
period in one frame period, andwherein the amount of drain current
of the first transistor is controlled by a video signal while the
drain region of the first transistor and the gate electrode of the
third transistor are connected to each other in order to control
the luminance of the organic light emitting diode.
8. A light emitting device according to claim 7, wherein the first,
second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
9. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 7, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
10. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, and fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a
drain region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting
diode;a power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein
the gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are
connected to the scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain
regions of the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line
and the other is connected to the drain region of the first
transistor,wherein one of the source or drain regions of the fifth
transistor is connected to the signal line and the other is
connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein the
source regions of the first and second transistors are connected to
the power supply line,wherein the gate electrode of the first
transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the second
transistor and to the drain region of the second transistor,wherein
the source region of the third transistor is connected to the drain
region of the second transistor and the drain region of the third
transistor is connected to a pixel electrode of the organic light
emitting diode, andwherein the first, second, and third transistors
operate in a saturation range.
11. A light emitting device according to claim 10, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
12. A light emitting device according to claim 10, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
13. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 10, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
14. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, and fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a
drain region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting
diode;a power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein
the gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are
connected to the scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain
regions of the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line
and the other is connected to the drain region of the first
transistor,wherein one of the source or drain regions of the fifth
transistor is connected to the signal line and the other is
connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein the
source regions of the first and second transistors are connected to
the power supply line,wherein the gate electrode of the first
transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the second
transistor and to the drain region of the second transistor;wherein
the source region of the third transistor is connected to the drain
region of the second transistor and the drain region of the third
transistor is connected to a pixel electrode of the organic light
emitting diode,wherein the first, second, and third transistors
operate in a saturation range, andwherein the amount of drain
current of the first transistor is controlled in order to control
the luminance of the organic light emitting diode.
15. A light emitting device according to claim 14, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
16. A light emitting device according to claim 14, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
17. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 14, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
18. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, and fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a
drain region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting
diode;a power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein
the gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are
connected to the scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain
regions of the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line
and the other is connected to the drain region of the first
transistor,wherein one of the source or drain regions of the fifth
transistor is connected to the signal line and the other is
connected to a gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein the
source regions of the first and second transistors are connected to
the power supply line,wherein the gate electrode of the first
transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the second
transistor and to the drain region of the second transistor,wherein
the source region of the third transistor is connected to the drain
region of the second transistor and the drain region of the third
transistor is connected to a pixel electrode of the organic light
emitting diode,wherein the first, second, and third transistors
operate in a saturation range; andwherein the amount of drain
current of the first transistor is controlled by a video signal in
order to control the luminance of the organic light emitting
diode.
19. A light emitting device according to claim 18, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
20. A light emitting device according to claim 18, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
21. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 18, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
22. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a drain
region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting diode;a
power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein the
gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are connected
to the scanning line;wherein one of the source or drain regions of
the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line and the other
is connected to the drain region of the first transistor,wherein
one of the source or drain regions of the fifth transistor is
connected to the drain region of the first transistor and the other
is connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein
the source regions of the first and second transistors are
connected to the power supply line,wherein the gate electrode of
the first transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the
second transistor and to the drain region of the second
transistor,wherein the source region of the third transistor is
connected to the drain region of the second transistor and the
drain region of the third transistor is connected to a pixel
electrode of the organic light emitting diode, andwherein the
first, second, and third transistors operate in a saturation
range.
23. A light emitting device according to claim 22, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
24. A light emitting device according to claim 22, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
25. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 22, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
26. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a drain
region, and agate electrode;an organic light emitting diode;a power
supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein the gate
electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are connected to the
scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain regions of the
fourth transistor is connected to the signal line and the other is
connected to the drain region of the first transistor,wherein one
of the source or drain regions of the fifth transistor is connected
to the drain region of the first transistor and the other is
connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein the
source regions of the first and second transistors are connected to
the power supply line,wherein the gate electrode of the first
transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the second
transistor and to the drain region of the second transistor,wherein
the source region of the third transistor is connected to the drain
region of the second transistor and the drain region of the third
transistor is connected to a pixel electrode of the organic light
emitting diode,wherein the first, second, and third transistors
operate in a saturation range, andwherein the amount of drain
current of the first transistor is controlled in order to control
the luminance of the organic light emitting diode.
27. A light emitting device according to claim 26, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
28. A light emitting device according to claim 26, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
29. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 26, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
30. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a drain
region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting diode;a
power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein the
gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are connected
to the scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain regions of
the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line and the other
is connected to the drain region of the first transistor,wherein
one of the source or drain regions of the fifth transistor is
connected to the drain region of the first transistor and the other
is connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein
the source regions of the first and second transistors are
connected to the power supply line,wherein the gate electrode of
the first transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the
second transistor and to the drain region of the second
transistor;wherein a source region of the third transistor is
connected to the drain region of the second transistor and the
drain region of the third transistor is connected to a pixel
electrode of the organic light emitting diode,wherein the first,
second, and third transistors operate in a saturation range,
andwherein the amount of drain current of the first transistor is
controlled by a video signal in order to control the luminance of
the organic light emitting diode.
31. A light emitting device according to claim 30, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
32. A light emitting device according to claim 30, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
33. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 30, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
34. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a drain
region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting diode;a
power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line;wherein the
gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are connected
to the scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain regions of
the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line and the other
is connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor;wherein
one of the source or drain regions of the fifth transistor is
connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor and the
other is connected to the drain region of the first
transistor,wherein the source regions of the first and second
transistors are connected to the power supply line,wherein the gate
electrode of the first transistor is connected to the gate
electrode of the second transistor and to the drain region of the
second transistor,wherein the source region of the third transistor
is connected to the drain region of the second transistor and the
drain region of the third transistor is connected to a pixel
electrode of the organic light emitting diode; andwherein the
first, second, and third transistors operate in a saturation
range.
35. A light emitting device according to claim 34, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
36. A light emitting device according to claim 34, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
37. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 34, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
38. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a drain
region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting diode;a
power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein the
gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are connected
to the scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain regions of
the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line and the other
is connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein
one of the source or drain regions of the fifth transistor is
connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor and the
other of which is connected to the drain region of the first
transistor,wherein the source regions of the first and second
transistors are connected to the power supply line,wherein the gate
electrode of the first transistor is connected to a gate electrode
of the second transistor and to the drain region of the second
transistor;wherein the source region of the third transistor is
connected to the drain region of the second transistor and the
drain region of the third transistor is connected to a pixel
electrode of the organic light emitting diode,wherein the first,
second, and third transistors operate in a saturation range,
andwherein the amount of drain current of the first transistor is
controlled in order to control the luminance of the organic light
emitting diode.
39. A light emitting device according to claim 38, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
40. A light emitting device according to claim 38, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
41. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 38, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
42. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a drain
region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting diode;a
power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein the
gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are connected
to the scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain regions of
the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line and the other
is connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein
one of the source or drain regions of the fifth transistor is
connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor and the
other is connected to the drain region of the first
transistor,wherein the source regions of the first and second
transistors are connected to the power supply line,wherein the gate
electrode of the first transistor is connected to the gate
electrode of the second transistor and to the drain region of the
second transistor,wherein the source region of the third transistor
is connected to the drain region of the second transistor and the
drain region of the third transistor is connected to a pixel
electrode of the organic light emitting diode,wherein the first,
second, and third transistors operate in a saturation range,
andwherein the amount of drain current of the first transistor is
controlled by a video signal in order to control the luminance of
the organic light emitting diode.
43. A light emitting device according to claim 42, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
44. A light emitting device according to claim 42, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
45. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 42, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
46. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, and fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a
drain region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting
diode;a power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein
the gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are
connected to the scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain
regions of the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line
and the other is connected to a drain region of the first
transistor,wherein one of the source or drain regions of the fifth
transistor is connected to the signal line and the other is
connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein the
source regions of the first and second transistors are connected to
the power supply line,wherein the gate electrode of the first
transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the second
transistor and to the drain region of the second transistor;wherein
the source region of the third transistor is connected to the drain
region of the second transistor and the drain region of the third
transistor is connected to a pixel electrode of the organic light
emitting diode,wherein the first, second, and third transistors
operate in a saturation range,wherein the fourth and fifth
transistors are turned ON for a certain period in one frame period
and the fourth and fifth transistors are turned OFF for a certain
period in the same one frame period, andwherein the amount of
current flowing in the signal line is controlled while the fourth
and fifth transistors are turned ON in order to control the
luminance of the organic light emitting diode.
47. A light emitting device according to claim 46, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
48. A light emitting device according to claim 46, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
49. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 46, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
50. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, and fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a
drain region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting
diode;power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein
the gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are
connected to the scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain
regions of the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line
and the other is connected to the drain region of the first
transistor,wherein one of the source or drain regions of the fifth
transistor is connected to the drain region of the first transistor
and the other is connected to the gate electrode of the third
transistor,wherein the source regions of the first and second
transistors are connected to the power supply line,wherein the gate
electrode of the first transistor is connected to the gate
electrode of the second transistor and to the drain region of the
second transistor,wherein the source region of the third transistor
is connected to the drain region of the second transistor and the
drain region of the third transistor is connected to a pixel
electrode of the organic light emitting diode,wherein the first,
second, and third transistors operate in a saturation range,wherein
the fourth and fifth transistors are turned ON for a certain period
in one frame period and the fourth and fifth transistors are turned
OFF for a certain period in the same one frame period, andwherein
the amount of current flowing in the signal line is controlled
while the fourth and fifth transistors are turned ON in order to
control the luminance of the organic light emitting diode.
51. A light emitting device according to claim 50, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
52. A light emitting device according to claim 50, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
53. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 50, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
54. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, and fifth transistors, each comprising a source region, a
drain region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting
diode;a power supply line;a signal line; anda scanning line,wherein
the gate electrodes of the fourth and fifth transistors are
connected to the scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain
regions of the fourth transistor is connected to the signal line
and the other is connected to the gate electrode of the third
transistor,wherein one of the source or drain regions of the fifth
transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the third
transistor and the other is connected to the drain region of the
first transistor,wherein the source regions of the first and second
transistors are connected to the power supply line,wherein the gate
electrode of the first transistor is connected to the gate
electrode of the second transistor and to the drain region of the
second transistor,wherein the source region of the third transistor
is connected to the drain region of the second transistor and the
drain region of the third transistor is connected to a pixel
electrode of the organic light emitting diode,wherein the first,
second, and third transistors operate in a saturation range,wherein
the fourth and fifth transistors are turned ON for a certain period
in one frame period and the fourth and fifth transistors are turned
OFF for a certain period in the same one frame period, andwherein
the amount of current flowing in the signal line is controlled
while the fourth and fifth transistors are turned ON in order to
control the luminance of the organic light emitting diode.
55. A light emitting device according to claim 54, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
56. A light emitting device according to claim 54, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
57. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 54, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
58. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth,fifth, and sixth transistors, each comprising a source
region, a drain region, and a gate electrode;an organic light
emitting diode;a power supply line;a signal line;a first scanning
line; anda second scanning line,wherein the gate electrodes of the
fourth and fifth transistors are connected to the first scanning
line,wherein one of the source or drain regions of the fourth
transistor is connected to the signal line and the other is
connected to the drain region of the first transistor,wherein one
of the source or drain regions of the fifth transistor is connected
to the signal line and the other is connected to the gate electrode
of the third transistor,wherein the source regions of the first and
second transistors are connected to the power supply line,wherein
the gate electrode of the first transistor is connected to the gate
electrode of the second transistor and to the drain region of the
second transistor,wherein the source region of the third transistor
is connected to the drain region of the second transistor and the
drain region of the third transistor is connected to a pixel
electrode of the organic light emitting diode,wherein the gate
electrode of the sixth transistor is connected to the second
scanning line,wherein one of the source or drain regions of the
sixth transistor is connected to the power supply line and the
other is connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor,
andwherein the first, second, and third transistors operate in a
saturation range.
59. A light emitting device according to claim 58, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
60. A light emitting device according to claim 58, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
61. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 58, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
62. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, fifth, sixth transistor, each comprising a source region, a
drain region, and a gate electrode;an organic light emitting
diode;a power supply line;a signal line;a first scanning line; anda
second scanning line,wherein the gate electrodes of the fourth and
fifth transistors are connected to the first scanning line,wherein
one of the source or drain regions of the fourth transistor is
connected to the signal line and the other is connected to the
drain region of the first transistor,wherein one of the source or
drain regions of the fifth transistor is connected to the drain
region of the first transistor and the other is connected to the
gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein the source regions
of the first and second transistors are connected to the power
supply line,wherein the gate electrode of the first transistor is
connected to the gate electrode of the second transistor and to the
drain region of the second transistor,wherein the source region of
the third transistor is connected to the drain region of the second
transistor and the drain region of the third transistor is
connected to a pixel electrode of the organic light emitting
diode,wherein the gate electrode of the sixth transistor is
connected to the second scanning line,wherein one of source or
drain regions of the sixth transistor is connected to the power
supply line and the other is connected to the gate electrode of the
first transistor,wherein the first, second, and third transistors
operate in a saturation range, andwherein the amount of drain
current of the first transistor is controlled in order to control
the luminance of the organic light emitting diode.
63. A light emitting device according to claim 62, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
64. A light emitting device according to claim 62, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
65. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 62, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
66. A light emitting device comprising:a first, second, third,
fourth, fifth, and sixth transistors each comprising a source
region, a drain region, and a gate electrode;an organic light
emitting diode;a power supply line;a signal line;a first scanning
line; anda second scanning line,wherein the gate electrodes of the
fourth and fifth transistors are connected to the first scanning
line,wherein one of the source or drain regions of the fourth
transistor is connected to the signal line and the other is
connected to the drain region of the first transistor,wherein one
of the source or drain regions of the fifth transistor is connected
to the drain region of the first transistor and the other is
connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor,wherein the
source regions of the first and second transistors are connected to
the power supply line,wherein the gate electrode of the first
transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the second
transistor and to the drain region of the second transistor,wherein
the source region of the third transistor is connected to the drain
region of the second transistor and the drain region of the third
transistor is connected to a pixel electrode of the organic light
emitting diode;wherein the gate electrode of the sixth transistor
is connected to the second scanning line,wherein one of the source
or drain regions of the sixth transistor is connected to the power
supply line and the other is connected to the gate electrode of the
first transistor,wherein the first, second, and third transistors
operate in a saturation range, andwherein the amount of drain
current of the first transistor is controlled by a video signal in
order to control the luminance of the organic light emitting
diode.
67. A light emitting device according to claim 66, wherein the
forth transistor and the fifth transistor have the same
polarity.
68. A light emitting device according to claim 66, wherein the
first, second, and third transistors have the same polarity.
69. An electronic equipment comprising the light emitting device
according to claim 66, wherein the electronic equipment is selected
from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode
display device, a digital still camera, a mobile computer, a
portable image reproduction apparatus, a goggle type display, a
video camera, and a portable telephone.
Description
Detailed Description of the Invention
Background of Invention
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an OLED (organic light
emitting diode) panel obtained by forming an OLED on a substrate
and sealing the OLED between the substrate and a cover member. The
invention also relates to an OLED module in which an IC including a
controller, or the like, is mounted to the OLED panel. In this
specification, 'light emitting device' is the generic term for the
OLED panel and for the OLED module. Electronic equipment using the
light emitting device is also included in the present
invention.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Being self-luminous, OLEDs eliminate the need for a
backlight that is necessary in liquid crystal display devices
(LCDs), and thus they are most suitable when manufacturing thinner
devices. Also, the self-luminous OLEDs are high in visibility and
have no limit in terms of viewing angle. These are the reasons for
the attention that light emitting devices using the OLEDs are
receiving in recent years as display devices to replace CRTs and
LCDs.
[0005] An OLED has a layer containing an organic compound (organic
light emitting material) that provides luminescence
(electroluminescence) when an electric field is applied (the layer
is hereinafter referred to as organic light emitting layer), in
addition to an anode layer and a cathode layer. Luminescence
obtained from organic compounds is classified into light emission
upon return to the base state from singlet excitation
(fluorescence) and light emission upon return to the base state
from triplet excitation (phosphorescence). A light emitting device
according to the present invention can use one or both types of the
light emission.
[0006] In this specification, all the layers that are provided
between an anode and a cathode together make an organic light
emitting layer. Specifically, the organic light emitting layer
includes a light emitting layer, a hole injection layer, an
electron injection layer, a hole transporting layer, an electron
transporting layer, etc. A basic structure of an OLED is a laminate
of an anode, a light emitting layer, and a cathode layered in this
order. The basic structure can be modified into a laminate of an
anode, a hole injection layer, a light emitting layer, and a
cathode layered in this order, or a laminate of an anode, a hole
injection layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transporting
layer, and a cathode layered in this order.
[0007] The problem in putting a light emitting device into practice
is lowering in luminance of OLED which accompanies degradation of
its organic light emitting material.
[0008] Organic light emitting materials are weak against moisture,
oxygen, light, and heat, which accelerate degradation of the
organic light emitting materials. Specifically, the rate of
degradation of an organic light emitting material depends on the
structure of a device for driving the light emitting device,
characteristics of the organic light emitting material, materials
of electrodes, manufacture process conditions, how the light
emitting device is driven, etc.
[0009] Even when the voltage applied to the organic light emitting
layer is constant, the luminance of the OLED is lowered as the
organic light emitting layer degrades, and an image displayed
therefore becomes unclear. In this specification, a voltage applied
to an organic light emitting layer from a pair of electrodes is
called an OLED drive voltage (Vel).
[0010] When an image is displayed in color by using three types of
OLEDs that respectively emit red (R) light, green (G) light, and
blue (B) light, different organic materials are used to form
organic light emitting layers of OLEDs of different colors.
Accordingly, the rate of degradation of organic light emitting
layer may vary between OLEDs of different colors. Then the
difference in luminance between OLEDs of different colors will be
noticeably large as time passes, making it impossible for the light
emitting device to display an image in desired colors.
[0011] The temperature of organic light emitting layer is
influenced by the outside temperature and heat generated from the
OLED panel itself. Generally, the amount of current flowing in an
OLED varies depending on the temperature. FIG. 26 shows a change in
voltage-current characteristic of an OLED when the temperature of
its organic light emitting layer is changed. With the voltage kept
constant, the OLED drive current is increased as the temperature of
the organic light emitting layer rises. Since the OLED drive
current is in proportion to the OLED luminance, the luminance of
the OLED becomes higher as the OLED drive current becomes larger.
Since a change in temperature of the organic light emitting layer
thus causes a change in OLED luminance, displaying an image in
desired gray scales is difficult and current consumption of the
light emitting device is increased accompanying a temperature
rise.
[0012] Generally, temperature change brings varying degrees of
changes in OLED drive current to different types of organic light
emitting materials and, therefore, in color display, the luminance
could be changed by temperature change differently for OLEDs of
different colors. It is impossible to obtain desired colors when
OLEDs of different colors lose their luminance balance.
Summary of Invention
[0013] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
and an object of the present invention is therefore to provide a
light emitting device capable of keeping the luminance constant and
displaying an image in desired colors without being influenced by
degradation of its organic light emitting layer or by temperature
change.
[0014] The present inventors have taken notice of the fact that the
luminance of OLED is lowered by degradation less when light is
emitted with a current flow to an OLED kept constant than when
light is emitted with the OLED drive voltage kept constant. (In
this specification, a current flowing into an OLED is called an
OLED drive current (Iel).) Then, the present inventors have thought
of preventing a change in OLED luminance due to degradation of OLED
by controlling the OLED luminance with current instead of
voltage.
[0015] Specifically, a current mirror circuit composed of
transistors is provided in each pixel in the present invention. The
current mirror circuit is used to control the OLED drive current. A
first transistor and a second transistor of the current mirror
circuit are connected such that the drain current of the first
transistor is kept substantially equal to the drain current of the
second transistor irrespective of the load resistance value.
[0016] A drain current I.sub.1 of the first transistor is
controlled by a signal line driving circuit. The amount of drain
current I.sub.1 of the first transistor is always equal to the
amount of drain current I.sub.2 of the second transistor
irrespective of the load resistance value. Accordingly, the drain
current I.sub.2 of the second transistor is controlled by the
signal line driving circuit.
[0017] The second transistor is connected to an OLED with a single
or plural circuit elements interposed therebetween, so that the
drain current I.sub.2 thereof flows into the OLED. Therefore the
value of OLED drive current flowing into the OLED is controlled by
the signal line driving circuit irrespective of the load resistance
value. In other words, the OLED drive current can be controlled to
have a desired value without being influenced by difference in
characteristics of transistors or degradation of OLED.
[0018] With the above structure, the present invention can prevent
the luminance of OLED from lowering even when the organic light
emitting layer is degraded and therefore can display a clear image.
If the light emitting device is to display an image in color using
OLEDs of different colors and the rate of degradation of organic
light emitting layer varies between the OLEDs of different colors,
the present invention is capable of keeping the luminance of light
of different colors balanced and display in desired colors.
[0019] Furthermore, the present invention can set the OLED drive
current to a desired value despite a change in temperature of the
organic light emitting layer due to the outside temperature and
heat generated from the OLED panel itself. Since the OLED drive
current is in proportion to the OLED luminance, the luminance of
OLED can be prevented from changing and current consumption
accompanying a temperature rise can be avoided. If the light
emitting device is to display an image in color, the luminance of
the OLEDs of different colors can be prevented from changing to
keep the luminance of light of different colors balanced and
display in desired colors.
[0020] Generally, temperature change brings varying degrees of
changes in OLED drive current to different types of organic light
emitting materials and, therefore, in color display, the luminance
could be changed by temperature change differently for OLEDs of
different colors. However, the light emitting device of the present
invention can obtain a desired luminance irrespective of
temperature change to thereby keep the luminance of light of
different colors balanced. An image thus can be displayed in
desired colors.
[0021] In a common light emitting device, the electric potential of
a wiring line used to supply a current to pixels is slightly
lowered as the wiring line becomes longer because of the resistance
of the wiring line itself. This electric potential is lowered to
widely varying degrees depending on an image to be displayed. When
the ratio of higher gray scale pixels to all of the pixels that
receive a current from the same wiring line is large, in
particular, the current flowing through the wiring lines is
increased in amount to make lowering of electric potential
noticeable. When the electric potential is lowered, a smaller
voltage is applied to the OLED of each pixel to reduce the amount
of current supplied to each pixel. Therefore, the amount of current
supplied to one pixel is changed as well as the gray scale number
thereof when the gray scale number of other pixels that receive a
current from the same wiring line as the one pixel is changed,
making it impossible for the one pixel to keep a constant gray
scale. In the light emitting device of the present invention, on
the other hand, a measured value and a reference value are obtained
to correct the OLED current each time a new image is displayed.
Therefore, a desired gray scale number is obtained for every new
image through correction.
[0022] In the light emitting device of the present invention, a
transistor used in a pixel may be one formed from single crystal
silicon or may be a thin film transistor formed from
polycrystalline silicon or amorphous silicon.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0023] In the accompanying drawings:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a top view of a light
emitting device of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a pixel in a light emitting
device of the present invention;
[0026] FIGS. 3A and 3B are timing charts of signals inputted to
scanning lines;
[0027] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of a pixel being
driven;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing at which points writing
periods and display periods are started in an analog driving
method;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing at which points writing
periods and display periods are started in a digital driving
method;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a pixel in a light emitting
device of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a pixel in a light emitting
device of the present invention;
[0032] FIGS. 9A to 9D are diagrams showing a method of
manufacturing a light emitting device according to the present
invention;
[0033] FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a method of
manufacturing a light emitting device according to the present
invention;
[0034] FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing a method of
manufacturing a light emitting device according to the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a top view of a pixel in a light emitting device
of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a pixel in a light emitting
device of the present invention;
[0037] FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing a method of
manufacturing a light emitting device according to the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 15 is a top view of a pixel in a light emitting device
of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 16 is a top view of a pixel in a light emitting device
of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a signal line driving
circuit;
[0041] FIG. 18 is a detailed diagram of a signal line driving
circuit in a digital driving method;
[0042] FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram of a current setting circuit in
a digital driving method;
[0043] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a scanning line driving
circuit;
[0044] FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing at which points writing
periods and display periods are started in a digital driving
method;
[0045] FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing at which points writing
periods and display periods are started in a digital driving
method;
[0046] FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing at which points writing
periods and display periods are started in a digital driving
method;
[0047] FIGS. 24A to 24C are diagrams showing the exterior and
sectional views of a light emitting device of the present
invention;
[0048] FIGS. 25A to 25H are diagrams of electronic equipment using
a light emitting device of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 26 is a graph showing the voltage-current
characteristic of an OLED;
[0050] FIG. 27 is a sectional view of a pixel in a light emitting
device of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 28 is a top view of an element substrate in a light
emitting device of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of an element substrate in a
light emitting device of the present invention;
[0053] FIGS. 30A to 30C are circuit diagrams of pixels in a light
emitting device of the present invention; and
[0054] FIGS. 31A and 31B are detailed diagrams of a signal line
driving circuit in a digital driving method.
Detailed Description
[0055] Embodiment Mode 1
[0056] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an OLED
panel of the present invention. Reference symbol 100 denotes a
pixel portion. The pixel portion has a plurality of pixels 101 that
form a matrix. Denoted by 102 and 103 are a signal line driving
circuit and a scanning line driving circuit, respectively.
[0057] In FIG. 1, the signal line driving circuit 102 and the
scanning line driving circuit 103 are formed on the same substrate
on which the pixel portion 100 is formed. However, the present
invention is not limited to this structure. The signal line driving
circuit 102 and the scanning line driving circuit 103 may be formed
on a substrate that is connected through an FPC or other connectors
to a substrate on which the pixel portion 100 is formed. Although
the panel in FIG. 1 has one signal line driving circuit 102 and one
scanning line driving circuit 103, the present invention is not
limited thereto. The number of signal line driving circuits and
scanning line driving circuits to be provided is freely determined
by a designer.
[0058] In this specification, connection means electric
connection.
[0059] In FIG. 1, the pixel portion 100 is provided with signal
lines S1 to Sx, power supply lines V1 to Vx, and scanning lines G1
to Gy. The number of signal lines may not always match the number
of power supply lines. The pixel portion may have other wiring
lines than these wiring lines.
[0060] The power supply lines V1 to Vx are kept at a given electric
potential. Although shown in FIG. 1 is the structure of a light
emitting device for displaying a monochromatic image, the present
invention can be applied to a light emitting device for displaying
a color image. In this case, not all of the power supply lines V1
to Vx may be kept at the same level of electric potential and power
supply lines for one color may have a different level of electric
potential than power supply lines for another color.
[0061] FIG. 2 shows a detailed structure of the pixels 101
illustrated in FIG. 1. A pixel shown in FIG. 2 is one of the pixels
101. The pixel 101 has a signal line Si (one of S1 to Sx), a
scanning line Gj (one of G1 to Gy), and a power supply line V1 (one
of V1 to Vx).
[0062] Each of the pixels 101 has, at least, a transistor Tr1 (a
first current controlling transistor or a first transistor), a
transistor Tr2 (a second current controlling transistor or a second
transistor), a transistor Tr3 (a third current controlling
transistor or a third transistor), a transistor Tr4 (a first
switching transistor or a fourth transistor), a transistor Tr5 (a
second switching transistor or a fifth transistor), an OLED 104,
and a storage capacitor 105.
[0063] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr4 and of the transistor
Tr5 are connected to the scanning line Gj.
[0064] The transistor Tr4 has a source region and a drain region
one of which is connected to the signal line Si and the other of
which is connected to a drain region of the transistor Tr1. The
transistor Tr5 has a source region and a drain region one of which
is connected to the signal line Si and the other of which is
connected to a gate electrode of the transistor Tr3.
[0065] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr1 and of the transistor
Tr2 are connected to each other. Source regions of the transistor
Tr1 and of the transistor Tr2 are connected to the power supply
line Vi.
[0066] The gate electrode of the transistor Tr2 is connected to a
drain region thereof. The drain region of the transistor Tr2 is
connected to a source region of the transistor Tr3.
[0067] A drain region of the transistor Tr3 is connected to a pixel
electrode of the OLED 104. The OLED 104 has an anode and a cathode.
In this specification, the cathode is called an opposite electrode
(second electrode) when the anode is used as a pixel electrode
(first electrode) and, when the cathode serves as the pixel
electrode, the anode is called the opposite electrode.
[0068] The electric potential of the power supply line Vi (power
supply electric potential) is kept constant. The electric potential
of the opposite electrode is also kept constant.
[0069] The transistor Tr4 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistor Tr5.
However, the transistor Tr4 and the transistor Tr5 have to have the
same polarity.
[0070] The transistor Tr1 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistors Tr2
and Tr3. However, the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and Tr3 have to have
the same polarity. When the pixel electrode serves as an anode and
the opposite electrode serves as a cathode, the transistors Tr1,
Tr2, and Tr3 are p-channel transistors. On the other hand,
n-channel transistors are used for the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and
Tr3 when the opposite electrode serves as an anode and the pixel
electrode serves as a cathode.
[0071] The storage capacitor 105 is formed between the gate
electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the power supply line Vi. The
storage capacitor 105 is provided to maintain the voltage between
the gate electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the source region
thereof (gate voltage) more securely but it may not always be
necessary.
[0072] The transistors Tr1 and Tr2 may have storage capacitor s
between their gate electrodes and the power supply line so that the
gate voltages of the transistors Tr1 and Tr2 can be maintained more
securely.
[0073] Next, driving of the light emitting device of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 4B. The
description on driving of the light emitting device of the present
invention can be divided into a description for a writing period Ta
and a description for a display period Td. FIGS. 3A and 3B are
timing charts of scanning lines. A period in which a scanning line
is selected, in other words, a period in which every transistor
whose gate electrode is connected to the selected scanning line is
turned ON, is expressed as ON. On the other hand, a period in which
a scanning line is not selected, in other words, a period in which
every transistor whose gate electrode is connected to the scanning
line is turned OFF, is expressed as OFF. FIGS. 4A and 4B
schematically show connection of the transistor Tr1, the transistor
Tr2 and the transistor Tr3 during a writing period Ta and a display
period Td.
[0074] In a writing period Ta, the scanning lines G1 to Gy are
selected in order as shown in FIG. 3A. Then a constant current Ic
flows between the signal lines S1 to Sx and the power supply lines
V1 to Vx in accordance with the electric potential of a video
signal inputted to the signal line driving circuit 102. In this
specification, the current Ic is called a signal current.
[0075] FIG. 4A shows a schematic diagram of one of the pixels 101
when the constant current Ic flows in the signal line Si in a
writing period Ta. Denoted by 106 is a terminal for connecting the
pixel to a power supply for giving an electric potential to the
opposite electrode. 107 denotes a constant current supply of the
signal line driving circuit 102.
[0076] The transistors Tr4 and Tr5 are ON and, when the signal line
Si receives the constant current Ic, the constant current Ic flows
between the drain region of the transistor Tr1 and the source
region thereof. The amount of the constant current Ic is controlled
by the constant current supply 107 so that the transistor Tr1
operates in a saturation range. In the saturation range, V.sub.GS
is given as the electric potential difference between the gate
electrode and the source region (gate voltage), is given as the
mobility of the transistor, C.sub.O as the gate capacitance per
unit area, W/L as the ratio of a channel width W of the channel
formation region to a channel length L thereof, V.sub.TH as the
threshold, and I.sub.1 as the drain current of the transistor Tr1.
Then the following Equation 1 is obtained.
[0077] I.sub.1 = C.sub.OW/L(V.sub.GS - V.sub.TH).sup.2/2 Equation
1
[0078] In Equation 1, , C.sub.O, W/L, and V.sub.TH are values fixed
for the respective transistors. The drain current I.sub.1 of the
transistor Tr1 is also kept constant at Ic by the constant current
supply 107. Accordingly, the gate voltage V.sub.GS of the
transistor Tr1 is determined by the value of the current Ic as
shown in Equation 1.
[0079] The gate electrode of the transistor Tr2 is connected to the
gate electrode of the transistor Tr1. The source region of the
transistor Tr2 is connected to the source region of the transistor
Tr1. Therefore the gate voltage of the transistor Tr2 is equal to
the gate voltage of the transistor Tr1. Accordingly, a drain
current I.sub.2 of the transistor Tr2 is kept at the same level as
the drain current of the transistor Tr1 to satisfy I.sub.2 =
Ic.
[0080] The drain current of the transistor Tr3 is equal to the
drain current I.sub.2 of the transistor Tr2. Satisfying Equation 1,
the transistor Tr3 generates a gate voltage in an amount according
to the drain current I.sub.2.
[0081] The drain current I.sub.2 of the transistor Tr2 thus flows
into the OLED 104 through a channel formation region of the
transistor Tr3. Accordingly, the OLED drive current is equal to the
constant current Ic set by the constant current supply 107.
[0082] The OLED 104 emits light at a luminance according to the
amount of OLED drive current. When the OLED drive current is
extremely close to 0 or when the OLED drive current flows in the
reverse bias direction, the OLED 104 does not emit light.
[0083] After all of the scanning lines G1 to Gy are selected and
the above operation is conducted on pixels in every line, the
writing period Ta is ended. As the writing period Ta is ended, a
display period Td is started.
[0084] FIG. 3B is a timing chart of the scanning lines in the
display period Td. In the display period Td, none of the scanning
lines G1 to Gy are selected.
[0085] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of a pixel in the display
period Td. The transistors Tr4 and Tr5 are turned OFF. The source
regions of the transistor Tr1 and of the transistor Tr2 are
connected to the power supply line Vi and kept at a given electric
potential (power supply electric potential).
[0086] In the display period Td, the drain region of the transistor
Tr1 is in a so-called floating state in which Tr1 does not receive
an electric potential from other wiring lines nor from a power
supply. On the other hand, the transistors Tr2 and Tr3 maintain
V.sub.GS set in the writing period Ta, which means that the drain
current I.sub.2 of the transistor Tr2 is still kept at Ic and that
the transistor Tr3 remains ON. Therefore the OLED drive current set
in the writing period Ta is maintained during the display period Td
and the OLED 104 emits light at a luminance according to the amount
of the OLED drive current.
[0087] In the case of a driving method using an analog video signal
(analog driving method), the amount of Ic is determined in
accordance with an analog video signal and the OLED 104 emits light
at a luminance according to the amount of Ic to obtain a gray
scale. In this case, one writing period Ta and one display period
Td constitute one frame period, and one image is displayed in one
frame period.
[0088] FIG. 5 is an example of the timing chart in an analog
driving method. One frame period has y line periods, and one
scanning line is selected in each line period. Constant currents Ic
(Ic1 to Icx) flow in signal lines in each line period. In FIG. 5,
Ic1[Lj] to Icx[Lj] represent values of signal current flowing in
the respective signal lines in a line period Lj (j = 1 to y).
[0089] Starting points of the writing period Ta and the display
period Td vary between different lines and the starting point of a
writing period for one line does not coincide with the starting
point for another line. When the display period Td is completed for
all of the pixels, one image is displayed.
[0090] In the case of a time gray scale driving method using a
digital video signal (digital driving method), on the other hand, a
writing period Ta and a display period Td are repeatedly alternated
in one frame period to make it possible to display one image. If an
image is displayed using n bit video signals, one frame period has
at least n writing periods and n display periods. The n writing
periods (Ta1 to Tan) are respectively associated with n bits of the
n bit video signals, and so are the n display periods (Td1 to
Tdn).
[0091] FIG. 6 shows at which points the n writing periods (Ta1 to
Tan) and the n display periods (Td1 to Tdn) are started in one
frame period. The axis of abscissa indicates time and the axis of
ordinate indicates positions of scanning lines of pixels.
[0092] A writing period Tam (m is an arbitrary number ranging from
1 to n) is followed by a display period associated with the same
bit number as the writing period Tam, in this case, a display
period Tdm. One writing period Ta and one display period Td
constitute one sub-frame period SF. A sub-frame period SFm consists
of the wiring period Tam and the display period Tdm that are
associated with the m-th bit signal.
[0093] Lengths of sub-frame periods SF1 to SFn are set so as to
satisfy SF1 : SF2: ... : SFn = 2.sup.0 : 2.sup.1 : ... :
2.sup.n-1.
[0094] A sub-frame period having a long display period may further
be divided to improve the quality of an image displayed. Specifics
on how such a sub-frame period is divided can be found in Japanese
Patent Application No. 2000-267164.
[0095] The driving method shown in FIG. 6 obtains gray scale
display by controlling the sum of lengths of display periods in one
frame period in which a pixel emits light.
[0096] With the above structure, the present invention can prevent
the luminance of OLED from lowering even when the organic light
emitting layer is degraded and therefore can display a clear image.
If the light emitting device is to display an image in color using
OLEDs of different colors and the rate of degradation of organic
light emitting layer varies between the OLEDs of different colors,
the present invention is capable of keeping the luminance of light
of different colors balanced and display in desired colors.
[0097] Furthermore, the present invention can set the OLED drive
current to a desired value despite a change in temperature of the
organic light emitting layer due to the outside temperature and
heat generated from the OLED panel itself. Since the OLED drive
current is in proportion to the OLED luminance, the luminance of
OLED can be prevented from changing and current consumption
accompanying a temperature rise can be avoided. If the light
emitting device is to display an image in color, the luminance of
the OLEDs of different colors can be prevented from changing to
keep the luminance of light of different colors balanced and
display in desired colors.
[0098] Generally, temperature change brings varying degrees of
changes in OLED drive current in accordance with different types of
organic light emitting materials and, therefore, in color display,
the luminance could be changed by temperature change differently
for OLEDs of different colors. However, the light emitting device
of the present invention can obtain a desired luminance
irrespective of temperature change to thereby keep the luminance of
light of different colors balanced. An image thus can be displayed
in desired colors.
[0099] In a common light emitting device, the electric potential of
a wiring line used to supply a current to pixels is slightly
lowered as the wiring line becomes longer because of the resistance
of the wiring line itself. This electric potential is lowered to
widely varying degrees depending on an image to be displayed. When
the ratio of higher gray scale pixels to all of the pixels that
receive a current from the same wiring line is large, in
particular, the current flowing through the wiring lines is
increased in amount to make lowering of electric potential
noticeable. When the electric potential is lowered, a smaller
voltage is applied to the OLED of each pixel to reduce the amount
of current supplied to each pixel. Therefore, the amount of current
supplied to one given pixel is changed as well as the gray scale
number thereof when the gray scale number of other pixels that
receive a current from the same wiring line as the one pixel is
changed, making it impossible for the one pixel to keep a constant
gray scale. In the light emitting device of the present invention,
on the other hand, a measured value and a reference value are
obtained to correct the OLED current each time a new image is
displayed. Therefore a desired gray scale number is obtained for
every new image through correction.
[0100] Embodiment Mode 2
[0101] This embodiment mode describes a structure different from
the one in FIG. 2 for the pixels 101 of FIG. 1.
[0102] The pixel structure of this embodiment mode is shown in FIG.
7. A pixel shown in FIG. 7 is one of the pixels 101. The pixel 101
has a signal line Si (one of S1 to Sx), a scanning line Gj (one of
G1 to Gy), and a power supply line Vi (one of V1 to Vx).
[0103] Each of the pixels 101 has, at least, a transistor Tr1 (a
first current controlling transistor or a first transistor), a
transistor Tr2 (a second current controlling transistor or a second
transistor), a transistor Tr3 (a third current controlling
transistor or a third transistor), a transistor Tr4 (a first
switching transistor or a fourth transistor), a transistor Tr5 (a
second switching transistor or a fifth transistor), an OLED 104,
and a storage capacitor 105.
[0104] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr4 and of the transistor
Tr5 are connected to the scanning line Gj.
[0105] The transistor Tr4 has a source region and a drain region
one of which is connected to the signal line Si and the other of
which is connected to a drain region of the transistor Tr1. The
transistor Tr5 has a source region and a drain region one of which
is connected to the drain region of the transistor Tr1 and the
other of which is connected to a gate electrode of the transistor
Tr3.
[0106] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr1 and of the transistor
Tr2 are connected to each other. Source regions of the transistor
Tr1 and of the transistor Tr2 are connected to the power supply
line Vi.
[0107] The gate electrode of the transistor Tr2 is connected to a
drain region thereof. The drain region of the transistor Tr2 is
connected to a source region of the transistor Tr3.
[0108] A drain region of the transistor Tr3 is connected to a pixel
electrode of the OLED 104. The electric potential of the power
supply line Vi (power supply electric potential) is kept constant.
The electric potential of the opposite electrode is also kept
constant.
[0109] The transistor Tr4 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistor Tr5.
However, the transistor Tr4 and the transistor Tr5 have to have the
same polarity.
[0110] The transistor Tr1 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistors Tr2
and Tr3. However, the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and Tr3 have to have
the same polarity. When the pixel electrode serves as an anode and
the opposite electrode serves as a cathode, the transistors Tr1,
Tr2, and Tr3 are p-channel transistors. On the other hand,
n-channel transistors are used for the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and
Tr3 when the opposite electrode serves as an anode and the pixel
electrode serves as a cathode.
[0111] The storage capacitor 105 is formed between the gate
electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the power supply line Vi. The
storage capacitor 105 is provided to maintain the gate voltage of
the transistor Tr3 more securely but it may not always be
necessary.
[0112] The transistors Tr1 and Tr2 may have storage capacitor s
between their gate electrodes and the power supply line so that the
gate voltages of the transistors Tr1 and Tr2 can be maintained more
securely.
[0113] As in the case of the pixel shown in FIG. 2, the description
on operation of a light emitting device that has the pixel of FIG.
7 can be divided into a description for a writing period Ta and a
description for a display period Td. The pixel in FIG. 7 operates
the same way as the pixel in FIG. 2 in the writing period Ta and
the display period Td. Therefore the descriptions given in
Embodiment Mode 1 on FIGS. 3A to 4B apply to the pixel in FIG. 7
and will not be repeated here.
[0114] Embodiment Mode 3
[0115] This embodiment mode describes a structure different from
those in FIGS. 2 and 7 for the pixels 101 of FIG. 1.
[0116] The pixel structure of this embodiment mode is shown in FIG.
8. A pixel shown in FIG. 8 is one of the pixels 101. The pixel 101
has a signal line Si (one of S1 to Sx), a scanning line Gj (one of
G1 to Gy), and a power supply line Vi (one of V1 to Vx).
[0117] Each of the pixels 101 has, at least, a transistor Tr1 (a
first current controlling transistor or a first transistor), a
transistor Tr2 (a second current controlling transistor or a second
transistor), a transistor Tr3 (a third current controlling
transistor or a third transistor), a transistor Tr4 (a first
switching transistor or a fourth transistor), a transistor Tr5 (a
second switching transistor or a fifth transistor), an OLED 104,
and a storage capacitor 105.
[0118] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr4 and of the transistor
Tr5 are connected to the scanning line Gj.
[0119] The transistor Tr4 has a source region and a drain region
one of which is connected to the signal line Si and the other of
which is connected to a gate electrode of the transistor Tr3. The
transistor Tr5 has a source region and a drain region one of which
is connected to the gate electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the
other of which is connected to a drain region of the transistor
Tr1.
[0120] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr1 and of the transistor
Tr2 are connected to each other. Source regions of the transistor
Tr1 and of the transistor Tr2 are connected to the power supply
line Vi.
[0121] The gate electrode of the transistor Tr2 is connected to a
drain region thereof. The drain region of the transistor Tr2 is
connected to a source region of the transistor Tr3.
[0122] A drain region of the transistor Tr3 is connected to a pixel
electrode of the OLED 104. The electric potential of the power
supply line Vi (power supply electric potential) is kept constant.
The electric potential of the opposite electrode is also kept
constant.
[0123] The transistor Tr4 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistor Tr5.
However, the transistor Tr4 and the transistor Tr5 have to have the
same polarity.
[0124] The transistor Tr1 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistors Tr2
and Tr3. However, the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and Tr3 have to have
the same polarity. When the pixel electrode serves as an anode and
the opposite electrode serves as a cathode, the transistors Tr1,
Tr2, and Tr3 are p-channel transistors. On the other hand,
n-channel transistors are used for the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and
Tr3 when the opposite electrode serves as an anode and the pixel
electrode serves as a cathode.
[0125] The storage capacitor 105 is formed between the gate
electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the power supply line Vi. The
storage capacitor 105 is provided to maintain the voltage between
the gate electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the source region
thereof (gate voltage) more securely but it may not always be
necessary.
[0126] The transistors Tr1 and Tr2 may have storage capacitor s
between their gate electrodes and the power supply line so that the
gate voltages of the transistors Tr1 and Tr2 can be maintained more
securely.
[0127] As in the case of the pixel shown in FIG. 2, the description
on operation of a light emitting device that has the pixel of FIG.
8 can be divided into a description for a writing period Ta and a
description for a display period Td. The pixel in FIG. 8 operates
the same way as the pixel in FIG. 2 in the writing period Ta and
the display period Td. Therefore the descriptions given in
Embodiment Mode 1 on FIGS. 3A to 4B apply to the pixel in FIG. 8
and will not be repeated here.
[0128] EMBODIMENTS
[0129] Embodiments of the present invention are described
hereinafter.
[0130] Embodiment 1
[0131] Next, described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13 is a method
of forming the light emitting device of the present invention.
Here, the method of simultaneously forming, on the same substrate,
transistors Tr2, Tr3 and Tr5 of the pixel, and transistors of a
driving portion provided surrounding the pixel portion is described
in detail according to steps. In addition, transistors Tr1 and Tr4
can be manufactured according to the manufacturing method of
transistors Tr2, Tr3, and Tr5. The pixels shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 30A,
30B, and 30C can also be manufactured according to the
manufacturing method shown in this embodiment.
[0132] This embodiment uses a substrate 900 of a glass such as
barium borosilicate glass or aluminoborosilicate glass as
represented by the glass #7059 or the glass #1737 of Corning Co.
There is no limitation on the substrate 900 provided it has a
property of transmitting light, and there may be used a quartz
substrate. There may be further used a plastic substrate having
heat resistance capable of withstanding the treatment temperature
of this embodiment.
[0133] Referring next to FIG. 9 (A), an underlying film 901
comprising an insulating film such as silicon oxide film, silicon
nitride film or silicon oxynitride film is formed on the substrate
900. In this embodiment, the underlying film 901 has a two-layer
structure. There, however, may be employed a structure in which a
single layer or two or more layers are laminated on the insulating
film. The first layer of the underlying film 901 is a silicon
oxynitride film 901a formed maintaining a thickness of from 10 to
200 nm (preferably, from 50 to 100 nm) relying upon a plasma CVD
method by using SiH.sub.4, NH.sub.3 and N.sub.2O as reaction gases.
In this embodiment, the silicon oxynitride film 901a (having a
composition ratio of Si = 32%, O = 27%, N = 24%, H = 17%) is formed
maintaining a thickness of 50 nm. The second layer of the
underlying film 901 is a silicon oxynitride film 901b formed
maintaining a thickness of from 50 to 200 nm (preferably, from 100
to 150 nm) relying upon the plasma CVD method by using SiH.sub.4
and N.sub.2O as reaction gases. In this embodiment, the silicon
oxynitride film 901b (having a composition ratio of Si = 32%, O =
59%, N = 7%, H = 2%) is formed maintaining a thickness of 100
nm.
[0134] Then, semiconductor layers 902 to 905 are formed on the
underlying film 901. The semiconductor layers 902 to 905 are formed
by forming a semiconductor film having an amorphous structure by a
known means (sputtering method, LPCVD method or plasma CVD method)
followed by a known crystallization processing (laser
crystallization method, heat crystallization method or heat
crystallization method using a catalyst such as nickel), and
patterning the crystalline semiconductor film thus obtained into a
desired shape. The semiconductor layers 902 to 905 are formed in a
thickness of from 25 to 80 nm (preferably, from 30 to 60 nm).
Though there is no limitation on the material of the crystalline
semiconductor film, there is preferably used silicon or a
silicon-germanium (Si.sub.xGe.sub.1-x (X = 0.0001 to 0.02)) alloy.
In this embodiment, the amorphous silicon film is formed
maintaining a thickness of 55 nm relying on the plasma CVD method
and, then, a solution containing nickel is held on the amorphous
silicon film. The amorphous silicon film is dehydrogenated
(500.degree.C, one hour), heat-crystallized (550.degree.C, four
hours) and is, further, subjected to the laser annealing to improve
the crystallization, thereby to form a crystalline silicon film.
The crystalline silicon film is patterned by the photolithographic
method to form semiconductor layers 902 to 905.
[0135] The semiconductor layers 902 to 905 that have been formed
may further be doped with trace amounts of an impurity element
(boron or phosphorus) to control the threshold value of the
TFT.
[0136] In forming the crystalline semiconductor film by the laser
crystallization method, further, there may be employed an excimer
laser of the pulse oscillation type or of the continuously
light-emitting type, a YAG laser or a YVO.sub.4 laser. When these
lasers are to be used, it is desired that a laser beam emitted from
a laser oscillator is focused into a line through an optical system
so as to fall on the semiconductor film. The conditions for
crystallization are suitably selected by a person who carries out
the process. When the excimer laser is used, the pulse oscillation
frequency is set to be 300 Hz and the laser energy density to be
from 100 to 400 mJ/cm.sup.2 (typically, from 200 to 300
mJ/cm.sup.2). When the YAG laser is used, the pulse oscillation
frequency is set to be from 30 to 300 kHz by utilizing the second
harmonics and the laser energy density to be from 300 to 600
mJ/cm.sup.2 (typically, from 350 to 500 mJ/cm.sup.2). The whole
surface of the substrate is irradiated with the laser beam focused
into a line of a width of 100 to 1000 m, for example, 400 m, and
the overlapping ratio of the linear beam at this moment is set to
be 50 to 90%.
[0137] Then, a gate insulating film 906 is formed to cover the
semiconductor layers 902 to 905. The gate insulating film 906 is
formed of an insulating film containing silicon maintaining a
thickness of from 40 to 150 nm by the plasma CVD method or the
sputtering method. In this embodiment, the gate insulating film is
formed of a silicon oxynitride film (composition ratio of Si = 32%,
O = 59%, N = 7%, H = 2%) maintaining a thickness of 110 nm by the
plasma CVD method. The gate insulating film is not limited to the
silicon oxynitride film but may have a structure on which is
laminated a single layer or plural layers of an insulating film
containing silicon.
[0138] When the silicon oxide film is to be formed, TEOS
(tetraethyl orthosilicate) and O.sub.2 are mixed together by the
plasma CVD method, and are reacted together under a reaction
pressure of 40 Pa, at a substrate temperature of from 300 to
400.degree.C, at a frequency of 13.56 MHz and a discharge electric
power density of from 0.5 to 0.8 W/cm.sup.2. The thus formed
silicon oxide film is, then heat annealed at 400 to 500.degree.C
thereby to obtain the gate insulating film having good
properties.
[0139] Then, a heat resistant conductive layer 907 is formed on the
gate insulating film 906 maintaining a thickness of from 200 to 400
nm (preferably, from 250 to 350 nm) to form the gate electrode. The
heat-resistant conductive layer 907 may be formed as a single layer
or may, as required, be formed in a structure of laminated layers
of plural layers such as two layers or three layers. The heat
resistant conductive layer contains an element selected from Ta, Ti
and W, or contains an alloy of the above element, or an alloy of a
combination of the above elements. The heat-resistant conductive
layer is formed by the sputtering method or the CVD method, and
should contain impurities at a decreased concentration to decrease
the resistance and should, particularly, contain oxygen at a
concentration of not higher than 30 ppm. In this embodiment, the W
film is formed maintaining a thickness of 300 nm. The W film may be
formed by the sputtering method by using W as a target, or may be
formed by the hot CVD method by using tungsten hexafluoride
(WF.sub.6). In either case, it is necessary to decrease the
resistance so that it can be used as the gate electrode. It is,
therefore, desired that the W film has a resistivity of not larger
than 20 cm. The resistance of the W film can be decreased by
coarsening the crystalline particles. When W contains much impurity
elements such as oxygen, the crystallization is impaired and the
resistance increases. When the sputtering method is employed,
therefore, a W target having a purity of 99.9999% or 99.99% is
used, and the W film is formed while giving a sufficient degree of
attention so that the impurities will not be infiltrated from the
gaseous phase during the formation of the film, to realize the
resistivity of from 9 to 20 cm.
[0140] On the other hand, the Ta film that is used as the
heat-resistant conductive layer 907 can similarly be formed by the
sputtering method. The Ta film is formed by using Ar as a
sputtering gas. Further, the addition of suitable amounts of Xe and
Kr into the gas during the sputtering makes it possible to relax
the internal stress of the film that is formed and to prevent the
film from being peeled off. The Ta film of -phase has a resistivity
of about 20 cm and can be used as the gate electrode but the Ta
film of -phase has a resistivity of about 180 cm and is not suited
for use as the gate electrode. The TaN film has a crystalline
structure close to the -phase. Therefore, if the TaN film is formed
under the Ta film, there is easily formed the Ta film of -phase.
Further, though not diagramed, formation of the silicon film doped
with phosphorus (P) maintaining a thickness of about 2 to about 20
nm under the heat resistant conductive layer 907 is effective in
fabricating the device. This helps improve the intimate adhesion of
the conductive film formed thereon, prevent the oxidation, and
prevent trace amounts of alkali metal elements contained in the
heat resistant conductive layer 907 from being diffused into the
gate insulating film 906 of the first shape. In any way, it is
desired that the heat-resistant conductive layer 907 has a
resistivity over a range of from 10 to 50 cm.
[0141] Next, a mask 908 is formed by a resist relying upon the
photolithographic technology. Then, a first etching is executed.
This embodiment uses an ICP etching device, uses Cl.sub.2 and
CF.sub.4 as etching gases, and forms a plasma with RF (13.56 MHz)
electric power of 3.2 W/cm.sup.2 under a pressure of 1 Pa. The RF
(13.56 MHz) electric power of 224 mW/cm.sup.2 is supplied to the
side of the substrate (sample stage), too, whereby a substantially
negative self bias voltage is applied. Under this condition, the W
film is etched at a rate of about 100 nm/min. The first etching
treatment is effected by estimating the time by which the W film is
just etched relying upon this etching rate, and is conducted for a
period of time which is 20% longer than the estimated etching
time.
[0142] The conductive layers 909 to 913 having a first tapered
shape are formed by the first etching treatment. The conductive
layers 909 to 913 are tapered at an angle of from 15 to 30.degree..
To execute the etching without leaving residue, over-etching is
conducted by increasing the etching time by about 10 to 20%. The
selection ratio of the silicon oxynitride film (gate insulating
film 906) to the W film is 2 to 4 (typically, 3). Due to the over
etching, therefore, the surface where the silicon oxynitride film
is exposed is etched by about 20 to about 50 nm (FIG. 9 (B)).
[0143] Then, a first doping treatment is effected to add an
impurity element of a first type of electric conduction to the
semiconductor layer. Here, a step is conducted to add an impurity
element for imparting the n-type. A mask 908 forming the conductive
layer of a first shape is left, and an impurity element is added by
the ion-doping method to impart the n-type in a self-aligned manner
with the conductive layers 909 to 913 having a first tapered shape
as masks. The dosage is set to be from 1 x 10.sup.13 to 5 x
10.sup.14 atoms/cm.sup.2 so that the impurity element for imparting
the n-type reaches the underlying semiconductor layer penetrating
through the tapered portion and the gate insulating film 906 at the
ends of the gate electrode, and the acceleration voltage is
selected to be from 80 to 160 keV. As the impurity element for
imparting the n-type, there is used an element belonging to the
Group 15 and, typically, phosphorus (P) or arsenic (As). Phosphorus
(P) is used, here. Due to the ion-doping method, an impurity
element for imparting the n-type is added to the first impurity
regions 914 to 917 over a concentration range of from 1 x 10.sup.20
to 1 x 10.sup.21 atoms/cm.sup.3 (FIG. 9 (C)).
[0144] In this step, the impurities turn down to the lower side of
the conductive layers 909 to 913 of the first shape depending upon
the doping conditions, and it often happens that the first impurity
regions 914 to 917 are overlapped on the conductive layers 909 to
913 of the first shape.
[0145] Next, the second etching treatment is conducted as shown in
FIG. 9 (D). The etching treatment, too, is conducted by using the
ICP etching device, using a mixed gas of CF.sub.4 and Cl.sub.2 as
an etching gas, using an RF electric power of 3.2 W/cm.sup.2 (13.56
MHz), a bias power of 45 mW/cm.sup.2 (13.56 MHz) under a pressure
of 1.0 Pa. Under this condition, there are formed the conductive
layers 918 to 921 of a second shape. The end portions thereof are
tapered, and the thickness gradually increases from the ends toward
the inside. The rate of isotropic etching increases in proportion
to a decrease in the bias electricity applied to the side of the
substrate as compared to the first etching treatment, and the angle
of the tapered portions becomes 30 to 60.degree.. The mask 908 is
etched at the edge by etching to form a mask 923. In the step of
FIG. 9 (D), the surface of the gate insulating film 906 is etched
by about 40 nm.
[0146] Then, the doping is effected with an impurity element for
imparting the n-type under the condition of an increased
acceleration voltage by decreasing the dosage to be smaller than
that of the first doping treatment. For example, the acceleration
voltage is set to be from 70 to 120 keV, the dosage is set to be 1
x 10.sup.13/cm.sup.2 thereby to form first impurity regions 924 to
927 having an increased impurity concentration, and second impurity
regions 928 to 931 that are in contact with the first impurity
regions 924 to 927. In this step, the impurity may turn down to the
lower side of the conductive layers 918 to 921 of the second shape,
and the second impurity regions 928 to 931 may be overlapped on the
conductive layers 918 to 922 of the second shape. The impurity
concentration in the second impurity regions is from 1 x 10.sup.16
to 1 x 10.sup.18 atoms/cm.sup.3 (FIG. 10 (A)).
[0147] Referring to FIG. 10 (B), impurity regions 933 (933a, 933b)
and 934 (934a, 934b) of the conduction type opposite to the one
conduction type are formed in the semiconductor layers 902, 905
that form the p-channel TFTs. In this case, too, an impurity
element for imparting the p-type is added using the conductive
layers 918, 921 and 922 of the second shape as masks to form
impurity regions in a self-aligned manner. At this moment, the
semiconductor layers 903 and 904 forming the n-channel TFTs are
entirely covered for their surfaces by forming a mask 932 of a
resist. Here, the impurity regions 933 and 934 are formed by the
ion-doping method by using diborane (B.sub.2H.sub.6). The impurity
element for imparting the p-type is added to the impurity regions
933 and 934 at a concentration of from 2 x 10.sup.20 to 2 x
10.sup.21 atoms/cm.sup.3.
[0148] If closely considered, however, the impurity regions 933,
934 can be divided into two regions containing an impurity element
that imparts the n-type. Third impurity regions 933a and 934a
contain the impurity element that imparts the n-type at a
concentration of from 1 x 10.sup.20 to 1 x 10.sup.21 atoms/cm.sup.3
and fourth impurity regions 933b and 934b contain the impurity
element that imparts the n-type at a concentration of from 1 x
10.sup.17 to 1 x 10.sup.20 atoms/cm.sup.3. In the impurity regions
933b and 934b, however, the impurity element for imparting the
p-type is contained at a concentration of not smaller than 1 x
10.sup.19 atoms/cm.sup.3 and in the third impurity regions 933a and
934a, the impurity element for imparting the p-type is contained at
a concentration which is 1.5 to 3 times as high as the
concentration of the impurity element for imparting the n-type.
Therefore, the third impurity regions work as source regions and
drain regions of the p-channel TFTs without arousing any
problem.
[0149] Referring next to FIG. 10 (C), a first interlayer insulating
film 937 is formed on the conductive layers 918 to 921 of the
second shape and on the gate insulating film 906. The first
interlayer insulating film 937 may be formed of a silicon oxide
film, a silicon oxynitride film, a silicon nitride film, or a
laminated layer film of a combination thereof. In any case, the
first interlayer insulating film 937 is formed of an inorganic
insulating material. The first interlayer insulating film 937 has a
thickness of 100 to 200 nm. When the silicon oxide film is used as
the first interlayer insulating film 937, TEOS and O.sub.2 are
mixed together by the plasma CVD method, and are reacted together
under a pressure of 40 Pa at a substrate temperature of 300 to
400.degree.C while discharging the electric power at a high
frequency (13.56 MHz) and at a power density of 0.5 to 0.8
W/cm.sup.2. When the silicon oxynitride film is used as the first
interlayer insulating film 937, this silicon oxynitride film may be
formed from SiH.sub.4, N.sub.2O and NH.sub.3, or from SiH.sub.4 and
N.sub.2O by the plasma CVD method. The conditions of formation in
this case are a reaction pressure of from 20 to 200 Pa, a substrate
temperature of from 300 to 400.degree.C and a high-frequency (60
MHz) power density of from 0.1 to 1.0 W/cm.sup.2. As the first
interlayer insulating film 937, further, there may be used a
hydrogenated silicon oxynitride film formed by using SiH.sub.4,
N.sub.2O and H.sub.2. The silicon nitride film, too, can similarly
be formed by using SiH.sub.4 and NH.sub.3 by the plasma CVD
method.
[0150] Then, a step is conducted for activating the impurity
elements that impart the n-type and the p-type added at their
respective concentrations. This step is conducted by thermal
annealing method using an annealing furnace. There can be further
employed a laser annealing method or a rapid thermal annealing
method (RTA method). The thermal annealing method is conducted in a
nitrogen atmosphere containing oxygen at a concentration of not
higher than 1 ppm and, preferably, not higher than 0.1 ppm at from
400 to 700.degree.C and, typically, at from 500 to 600.degree.C In
this embodiment, the heat treatment is conducted at 550.degree.C
for 4 hours. When a plastic substrate having a low heat resistance
temperature is used as the substrate 900, it is desired to employ
the laser annealing method.
[0151] Following the step of activation, the atmospheric gas is
changed, and the heat treatment is conducted in an atmosphere
containing 3 to 100% of hydrogen at from 300 to 450.degree.C for
from 1 to 12 hours to hydrogenate the semiconductor layer. This
step is to terminate the dangling bonds of 10.sup.16 to
10.sup.18/cm.sup.3 in the semiconductor layer with hydrogen that is
thermally excited. As another means of hydrogenation, the plasma
hydrogenation may be executed (using hydrogen excited with plasma).
In any way, it is desired that the defect density in the
semiconductor layers 902 to 905 be suppressed to be not larger than
10.sup.16/cm.sup.3. For this purpose, hydrogen may be added in an
amount of from 0.01 to 0.1 atomic %.
[0152] Then, a second interlayer insulating film 939 of an organic
insulating material is formed maintaining an average thickness of
from 1.0 to 2.0 m. As the organic resin material, there can be used
polyimide, acrylic, polyamide, polyimideamide, or BCB
(benzocyclobutene). When there is used, for example, a polyimide of
the type that is heat polymerized after being applied onto the
substrate, the second interlayer insulating film is formed being
fired in a clean oven at 300.degree.C When there is used an
acrylic, there is used the one of the two-can type. Namely, the
main material and a curing agent are mixed together, applied onto
the whole surface of the substrate by using a spinner, pre-heated
by using a hot plate at 80.degree.C for 60 seconds, and are fired
at 250.degree.C for 60 minutes in a clean oven to form the second
interlayer insulating film.
[0153] Thus, the second interlayer insulating film 939 is formed by
using an organic insulating material featuring good and flattened
surface. Further, the organic resin material, in general, has a
small dielectric constant and lowers the parasitic capacitance. The
organic resin material, however, is hygroscopic and is not suited
as a protection film. It is, therefore, desired that the second
interlayer insulating film is used in combination with the silicon
oxide film, silicon oxynitride film or silicon nitride film formed
as the first interlayer insulating film 937.
[0154] Thereafter, the resist mask of a predetermined pattern is
formed, and contact holes are formed in the semiconductor layers to
reach the impurity regions serving as source regions or drain
regions. The contact holes are formed by dry etching. In this case,
a mixed gas of CF.sub.4, O.sub.2 and He is used as the etching gas,
and the second interlayer insulating film 939 of the organic resin
material is etched. Thereafter, CF.sub.4 and O.sub.2 are used as
the etching gas to etch the first interlayer insulating film 937.
In order to further enhance the selection ratio relative to the
semiconductor layer, CHF.sub.3 is used as the etching gas to etch
the gate insulating film 906 of the third shape, thereby to form
the contact holes.
[0155] Here, the conductive metal film is formed by sputtering and
vacuum vaporization and is patterned by using a mask and is, then,
etched to form connecting wirings 940 to 947. Further, though not
diagramed in this embodiment, the wiring is formed by a laminate of
a 50 nm thick Ti film and a 500 nm thick alloy film (alloy film of
Al and Ti).
[0156] Then, a transparent conductive film is formed thereon
maintaining a thickness of 80 to 120 nm, and is patterned to form a
pixel electrode 948 (FIG. 11 (A)). Therefore, the pixel electrode
948 is formed by using an indium oxide-tin (ITO) film as a
transparent electrode or a transparent conductive film obtained by
mixing 2 to 20% of a zinc oxide (ZnO) into indium oxide.
[0157] Further, the pixel electrode 948 is formed being in contact
with, and overlapped on, the connecting wiring 946 that is
electrically connected to the drain region of the transistor
Tr3.
[0158] FIG. 12 is a top view of the pixel after the process up
through the step of FIG. 11A is finished. The insulating film and
the interlayer insulating film are omitted from FIG. 12 in order to
show positions of the wiring lines and of the semiconductor layers
clearly. A sectional view taken along the line A-A' in FIG. 12
corresponds to the area indicated by A-A' in FIG. 11A.
[0159] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B' in
FIG. 12. The transistor Tr4 has a gate electrode 975 that is a part
of a scanning line 974. The gate electrode 975 is connected to a
gate electrode 920 of the transistor Tr5. The semiconductor layer
of the transistor Tr4 have two impurity regions 977 one of which is
connected to the connection wiring line 942 that functions as the
signal line Si and the other of which is connected to a connection
wiring line 971.
[0160] The transistor Tr1 has a gate electrode 976, which is
connected to a gate electrode 922 of the transistor Tr2. The
semiconductor layer of the transistor Tr1 have two impurity regions
978 one of which is connected to the connection wiring line 971 and
the other of which is connected to the connection wiring line 947
that functions as the power supply line Vi.
[0161] The connection wiring line 943 is connected to the impurity
region 934a common to the transistors Tr2 and Tr3, and is connected
to the gate electrode 922 of the transistor Tr2.
[0162] Denoted by 970 is a storage capacitor, which has a
semiconductor layer 972, the gate insulating film 906, and a
capacitance wiring line 973. One of impurity regions 979 in the
semiconductor layer 972 is connected to the connection wiring line
947 that functions as a power supply line.
[0163] Next, a third interlayer insulating film 949 having opening
at a position that coincides with the pixel electrode 948 is formed
as shown in FIG. 11B. The third interlayer insulating film 949 is
capable of insulating, and functions as a bank to separate organic
light emitting layers of adjacent pixels from each other. This
embodiment uses a resist to form the third interlayer insulating
film 949.
[0164] The third interlayer insulating film 949 in this embodiment
has a thickness of about 1 m. The opening has a so-called reverse
taper shape whose width increases as the distance from the pixel
electrode 948 is closed. The reverse taper shape is obtained by
covering the resist film except the portion where the opening is to
be formed, irradiating the film with UV light, and then removing
the exposed portion with a developer.
[0165] By shaping the third interlayer insulating film 949 into a
reverse taper shape as in this embodiment, organic light emitting
layers of adjacent pixels are separated from each other when
forming the organic light emitting layers in a later step.
Therefore cracking or peeling of organic light emitting layers can
be prevented even when the organic light emitting layers and the
third interlayer insulating film 949 have different coefficient of
thermal expansion.
[0166] Although a resist is used for the third interlayer
insulating film in this embodiment, polyimide, polyamide, acrylic,
BCB (benzocyclobutene), or silicon oxide may be used instead in
some cases. The third interlayer insulating film 949 may be an
organic or inorganic material as long as it is capable of
insulating.
[0167] An organic light emitting layer 950 is formed next by
evaporation. Then a cathode (MgAg electrode) 951 and a protective
electrode 952 are formed by evaporation. It is desirable to remove
moisture completely from the pixel electrode 948 by subjecting the
pixel electrode to heat treatment prior to forming the organic
light emitting layer 950 and the cathode 951. This embodiment uses
a MgAg electrode as the cathode of the OLED but the cathode may be
formed from other known materials.
[0168] A known material can be used for the organic light emitting
layer 950. In this embodiment, the organic light emitting layer has
a two-layer structure consisting of a hole transporting layer and a
light emitting layer. The organic light emitting layer may
additionally have one or more layers out of a hole injection layer,
an electron injection layer, and an electron transporting layer.
Various combinations have been reported and the organic light
emitting layer of this embodiment can take any of those.
[0169] The hole transporting layer of this embodiment is formed by
evaporation from polyphenylene vinylene. The light emitting layer
of this embodiment is formed by evaporation from polyvinyl
carbazole with 30 to 40% of PBD, that is a 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole
derivative, being molecule-dispersed. The light emitting layer is
doped with about 1% of Coumarin 6 as green luminescent center.
[0170] The protective electrode 952 alone can protect the organic
light emitting layer 950 from moisture and oxygen, but it is more
desirable to add a protective film 953. This embodiment uses a
silicon nitride film with a thickness of 300 nm as the protective
film 953. The protective film and the protective electrode 952 may
be formed in succession without exposing the device to the air.
[0171] The protective electrode 952 also prevents degradation of
the cathode 951. A typical material of the protective electrode is
a metal film mainly containing aluminum. Other materials may of
course be used. Since the organic light emitting layer 950 and the
cathode 91 are extremely weak against moisture, the organic light
emitting layer, the cathode, and the protective electrode 952 are
desirably formed in succession without exposing them to the air.
The organic light emitting layer and the cathode are thus protected
from the outside air.
[0172] The organic light emitting layer 950 is 10 to 400 nm in
thickness (typically 60 to 150 nm), and the cathode 951 is 80 to
200 nm in thickness (typically 100 to 150 nm).
[0173] Thus completed is a light emitting device structured as
shown in FIG. 11B. An area 954 where the pixel electrode 948, the
organic light emitting layer 950, and the cathode 951 overlap
corresponds to the OLED.
[0174] A p-channel TFT 960 and an n-channel TFT 961 are TFTs of the
driving circuit and constitute a CMOS circuit. The transistor Tr2
and the transistor Tr5 are TFTs of the pixel portion. The TFTs of
the driving circuit and the TFTs of the pixel portion can be formed
on the same substrate.
[0175] In the case of a light emitting device using an OLED, its
driving circuit can be operated by a power supply having a voltage
of 5 to 6 V, 10 V, at most. Therefore degradation of TFTs due to
hot electron is not a serious problem. Also, smaller gate
capacitance is preferred for the TFTs since the driving circuit
needs to operate at high speed. Accordingly, in a driving circuit
of a light emitting device using an OLED as in this embodiment, the
second impurity region 929 and the fourth impurity region 933b of
the semiconductor layers of the TFTs preferably do not overlap with
the gate electrode 918 and the gate electrode 919,
respectively.
[0176] The method of manufacturing the light emitting device of the
present invention is not limited to the one described in this
embodiment. The light emitting device of the present invention can
be manufactured by a known method.
[0177] Embodiment 2
[0178] In this embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light
emitting device different from that in Embodiment 1 is
described.
[0179] The process through the formation of the second interlayer
insulating film 939 is the same as in Embodiment 1. As shown in
FIG. 14 (A), after the second interlayer insulating film 939 is
formed, a passivation film 981 is formed to contact the second
interlayer insulating film 939.
[0180] The passivation film 981 is effective in preventing moisture
contained in the second interlayer insulating film 939 from
permeating the organic light emitting layer 950 through the pixel
electrode 948 or a third interlayer insulating film 982. In the
case where the second interlayer insulating film 939 includes an
organic resin material, it is particularly effective to provide the
passivation film 981 since the organic resin material contains a
large amount of moisture.
[0181] In this embodiment, a silicon nitride film is used as the
passivation film 981.
[0182] Thereafter, a resist mask having a predetermined pattern is
formed, and contact holes reaching impurity regions, which are
source regions or drain regions, are formed in the respective
semiconductor layers. The contact holes are formed by a dry etching
method. In this case, the passivation film 981 is first etched by
using a gas mixture of the CF.sup.4 and O.sub.2 as an etching gas,
and then second interlayer insulating film 939 comprised of the
organic resin material is etched by using a gas mixture of
CF.sub.4, O.sub.2 and He as an etching gas. Subsequently, the first
interlayer insulating film 937 is etched with CF.sub.4 and O.sub.2
as an etching gas. Further, in order to raise a selection ratio
with the semiconductor layer, the etching gas is changed to
CHF.sub.3 to etch the third shape gate insulating film 906, whereby
the contact holes can be formed.
[0183] Then, a conductive metal film is formed by a sputtering
method or a vacuum evaporation method, patterning is performed with
a mask, and thereafter, etching is performed. Thus, the connecting
wirings 940 to 947 are formed. Although not shown, the wirings are
formed of a lamination film of a Ti film with a thickness of 50 nm
and an alloy film with a thickness of 500 nm (alloy film of Al and
Ti) in this embodiment.
[0184] Subsequently, a transparent conductive film is formed
thereon with a thickness of 80 to 120 nm, and the pixel electrode
948 is formed by patterning (FIG. 14 (A)). Note that an indium-tin
oxide (ITO) film or a transparent conductive film in which indium
oxide is mixed with 2 to 20% of zinc oxide (ZnO) is used for a
transparent electrode in this embodiment.
[0185] Further, the pixel electrode 948 is formed so as to contact
and overlap the connecting wiring 946. Thus, electrical connection
between the pixel electrode 948 and the drain region of the
transistor Tr2 is formed.
[0186] Next, as shown in FIG. 14 (B), the third interlayer
insulating film 982 having an opening portion at the position
corresponding to the pixel electrode 948 is formed. In this
embodiment, side walls having a tapered shape are formed by using a
wet etching method in forming the opening portion. Differently from
the case shown in Embodiment 1, the organic light emitting layer
formed on the third interlayer insulating film 982 is not
separated. Thus, the deterioration of the organic light emitting
layer which derives from a step becomes a conspicuous problem if
the side walls of the opening portion are not sufficiently gentle,
which requires attention.
[0187] Note that although a film made of silicon oxide is used as
the third interlayer insulating film 982 in this embodiment, an
organic resin film such as polyimide, polyamide, acrylic or BCB
(benzocyclobutene) may also be used depending on circumstances.
[0188] Then, it is preferable that, before the organic light
emitting layer 950 is formed on the third interlayer insulating
film 982, plasma processing using argon is conducted to the surface
of the third interlayer insulating film 982 to make close the
surface of the third interlayer insulating film 982. With the above
structure, it is possible to prevent moisture from permeating the
organic light emitting layer 950 from the third interlayer
insulating film 982.
[0189] Next, the organic light emitting layer 950 is formed by an
evaporation method, and further, the cathode (MgAg electrode) 951
and the protecting electrode 952 are formed by the evaporation
method. At this time, it is desirable that heat treatment is
conducted to the pixel electrode 948 to completely remove moisture
prior to the formation of the organic light emitting layer 950 and
the cathode 951. Note that, the MgAg electrode is used as the
cathode of the OLED in this embodiment, but other known materials
may also be used.
[0190] Note that a known material can be used for the organic light
emitting layer 950. In this embodiment, the organic light emitting
layer takes a two-layer structure constituted of a hole
transporting layer and a light emitting layer. However, there may
be a case where any one of a hole injecting layer, an electron
injecting layer and an electron transporting layer is included in
the organic light emitting layer. Various examples of combinations
have been reported as described above, and any structure among
those may be used.
[0191] In this embodiment, polyphenylene vinylene is formed by the
evaporation method for forming the hole transporting layer.
Further, polyvinylcarbazole dispersed with PBD of 1, 3,
4-oxadiazole derivative with 30 to 40% molecules is formed by the
evaporation method for forming the light emitting layer, and about
1% of coumarin 6 is added thereto as the emission center of green
color.
[0192] Further, it is possible to protect the organic light
emitting layer 950 from moisture and oxygen in the protecting
electrode 952, but the protective film 953 may be, more preferably,
provided. In this embodiment, a silicon nitride film with a
thickness of 300 nm is provided as the protective film 953. This
protective film may be continuously formed without exposure to an
atmosphere after the formation of the protecting electrode 952.
[0193] Moreover, the protecting electrode 952 is provided for
preventing deterioration of the cathode 951 and is typified by a
metal film containing aluminum as its main constituent. Of course,
other materials may also be used. Further, since the organic light
emitting layer 950 and the cathode 951 are extremely easily
affected by moisture, it is desirable that the formation is
continuously performed through the formation of the protecting
electrode 952 without exposure to an atmosphere to thereby protect
the organic light emitting layer against an outer atmosphere.
[0194] Note that the thickness of the organic light emitting layer
950 may be 10 to 400 nm (typically, 60 to 150 nm) and the thickness
of the cathode 951 may be 80 to 200 nm (typically, 100 to 150
nm).
[0195] Thus, the light emitting device with the structure as shown
in FIG. 14 (B) is completed. Note that the portion 954, where the
pixel electrode 948, the organic light emitting layer 950 and the
cathode 951 are overlapped one another, corresponds to the
OLED.
[0196] The p-channel TFT 960 and the n-channel TFT 961 are the TFTs
of the driver circuit, and form a CMOS. The transistor Tr2, Tr3 and
Tr5 are the TFTs of the pixel portion. The TFTs of the driver
circuit and the TFTs of the pixel portion can be formed on the same
substrate.
[0197] The method of manufacturing the light emitting device of the
present invention is not limited to the manufacturing method
described in this embodiment. The light emitting device of the
present invention can be manufactured by using a known method.
[0198] Embodiment 3
[0199] This embodiment gives a description on the top view of the
pixel shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 15 shows a top view of a pixel of this
embodiment. Insulating films such as a insulating gate film and an
interlayer insulating film are omitted from FIG. 15 in order to
show positions of wiring lines and of semiconductor layers clearly.
In FIG. 15, wiring lines formed on the same layer are similarly
hatched. The top view in FIG. 15 is of the pixel after a pixel
electrode is formed and before an organic light emitting layer is
formed.
[0200] The pixel shown in FIG. 15 has one scanning line 211, one
signal line 210, and one power supply line 217. Portions of the
scanning line 211 are denoted by 212 and 213 and respectively serve
as gate electrodes of transistors Tr4 and Tr5.
[0201] The transistor Tr4 has a source region and a drain region
one of which is connected to the signal line 210 and the other of
which is connected to a drain region of a transistor Tr1 through a
connection wiring line 215. The transistor Tr5 has a source region
and a drain region one of which is connected to the drain region of
the transistor Tr1 through the connection wiring line 215 and the
other of which is connected to a capacitance wiring line 216
through a connection wiring line 214.
[0202] A gate electrode 219 of the transistor Tr1 and a gate
electrode 220 of a transistor Tr2 are connected to each other. The
gate electrodes 219 and 220 of the transistors Tr1 and Tr2 are
connected to a drain region of the transistor Tr2 through a
connection wiring line 221.
[0203] A source region of the transistor Tr1 is connected to the
power supply line 217. A source region of the transistor Tr2 is
connected to the power supply line 217.
[0204] A portion of the capacitance wiring line 216 is denoted by
218 and serves as a gate electrode of a transistor Tr3. The
transistor Tr3 has a source region and a drain region one of which
is connected to the drain region of the transistor Tr2 and the
other of which is connected to a pixel electrode 223 through a
connection wiring line 222.
[0205] Denoted by 224 is an active layer for forming a storage
capacitor. Above the active layer 224 for forming a storage
capacitor, the capacitance wiring line 216 is formed with a gate
insulating film (not shown in the drawing) interposed therebetween.
An area where the capacitance wiring line 216 overlaps the gate
insulating film and the active layer 224 for forming a storage
capacitor corresponds to a storage capacitor 205. Above the
capacitance wiring line 216, the power supply line 217 is formed
with an interlayer insulating film (not shown) interposed
therebetween. Alternatively, a capacitor formed in an area where
the capacitance wiring line 216, the interlayer insulating film,
and the power supply line 217 overlap may be used as the storage
capacitor 205.
[0206] Partitioning walls (banks) for separating pixels from one
another are formed on the power supply line 217. This makes it
possible to obtain a storage capacitor and a power supply line
without reducing the aperture ratio.
[0207] The top view of the pixel in this embodiment merely shows an
example of the structure of the present invention, and this
embodiment does not limit the top view structure of the pixel shown
in FIG. 7. This embodiment may be combined freely with Embodiment 1
or 2.
[0208] Embodiment 4
[0209] This embodiment gives a description on the top view of the
pixel shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 16 shows a top view of a pixel of this
embodiment. Insulating films such as an insulating film and an
interlayer insulating film are omitted from FIG. 16 in order to
show positions of wiring lines and of semiconductor layers clearly.
In FIG. 16, wiring lines formed on the same layer are similarly
hatched. The top view in FIG. 16 is of the pixel after a pixel
electrode is formed and before an organic light emitting layer is
formed.
[0210] The pixel shown in FIG. 16 has one scanning line 311, one
signal line 310, and one power supply line 317. Portions of the
scanning line 311 are denoted by 312 and 313 and respectively serve
as gate electrodes of transistors Tr4 and Tr5.
[0211] The transistor Tr4 has a source region and a drain region
one of which is connected to the signal line 310 and the other of
which is connected to a capacitance wiring line 316 through a
connection wiring line 315. The transistor Tr5 has a source region
and a drain region one of which is connected to a drain region of
the transistor Tr1 through a connection wiring line 314 and the
other of which is connected to the capacitance wiring line 316
through the connection wiring line 315.
[0212] A gate electrode 319 of the transistor Tr1 and a gate
electrode 320 of a transistor Tr2 are connected to each other. The
gate electrodes 319 and 320 of the transistors Tr1 and Tr2 are
connected to a drain region of the transistor Tr2 through a
connection wiring line 321.
[0213] A source region of the transistor Tr1 is connected to the
power supply line 317. A source region of the transistor Tr2 is
connected to the power supply line 317.
[0214] A portion of the capacitance wiring line 316 is denoted by
318 and serves as a gate electrode of a transistor Tr3. The
transistor Tr3 has a source region and a drain region one of which
is connected to the drain region of the transistor Tr2 and the
other of which is connected to a pixel electrode 323 through a
connection wiring line 322.
[0215] Denoted by 324 is an active layer for forming a storage
capacitor. Above the active layer 324 for forming a storage
capacitor, the capacitance wiring line 316 is formed with a gate
insulating film (not shown in the drawing) interposed therebetween.
An area where the capacitance wiring line 316 overlaps the gate
insulating film and the active layer 324 for forming a storage
capacitor corresponds to a storage capacitor 305. Above the
capacitance wiring line 316, the power supply line 317 is formed
with an interlayer insulating film (not shown) interposed
therebetween. Alternatively, a capacitor formed in an area where
the capacitance wiring line 316, the interlayer insulating film,
and the power supply line 317 overlap may be used as the storage
capacitor 305.
[0216] The top view of the pixel in this embodiment merely shows an
example of the structure of the present invention, and this
embodiment does not limit the top view structure of the pixel shown
in FIG. 8. This embodiment may be combined freely with Embodiment 1
or 2.
[0217] Embodiment 5
[0218] This embodiment describes a light emitting device having a
structure different from the one in Embodiment 1.
[0219] FIG. 27 is a sectional view of a pixel portion in the light
emitting device of this embodiment. The light emitting device shown
in FIG. 27 has a red color pixel (R pixel) 800r, a green color
pixel (G pixel) 800g, and a blue color pixel (B pixel) 800b. The
structure of this embodiment is applicable to a light emitting
device for displaying a monochromatic image as well as a light
emitting device for color display.
[0220] Each of the pixels has transistors Tr2 and Tr3 formed on a
substrate 830. In a light emitting device of the present invention,
each pixel has at least transistors Tr1, Tr2, Tr3, Tr4, and Tr5.
However, the transistor Tr2 and Tr3 are shown in FIG. 27.
[0221] Pixel electrodes 802r, 802g, and 802b (pixel electrodes 802)
are connected, through contact holes formed in a gate insulating
film 811 and an interlayer insulating film 807, to drain regions
809r, 809g, and 809b of the third transistors Tr3,
respectively.
[0222] The pixel electrodes are cathodes in this embodiment and do
not transmit light, MgAg electrodes are used as the cathodes of the
OLEDs in this embodiment but other known materials may be used
instead.
[0223] Then an interlayer insulating film 805 having an opening 850
is formed to cover the pixel electrodes 802r, 802g, and 802b and
the interlayer insulating film 807. The opening 850 are positioned
so as to overlap the pixel electrodes 802r, 802g, and 802b.
Although a silicon oxide film is used as the interlayer insulating
film 805 in this embodiment, organic resin films formed from
polyimide, polyamide, acrylic, or BCB (benzocyclobutene) may be
used in some cases.
[0224] Organic light emitting layers 803r, 803g, and 803b (organic
light emitting layers 803) are formed in the opening of the
interlayer insulating film 805 so as to come into contact with the
pixel electrodes 802r, 802g, and 802b, respectively. The organic
light emitting layers 803r, 803g, and 803b are separately formed by
evaporation using a metal mask in the order in accordance with each
color. During evaporation, materials of the organic light emitting
layers 803r, 803g, and 803b may overflow or run from the opening.
So try to contain the organic light emitting layers in the opening
of the third interlayer insulating film 805.
[0225] Next, metal-containing conductive layers 806 are formed by
evaporation on the interlayer insulating film 805 except the
opening. The material of the conductive layers 806 is desirably a
low resistant metal. The conductive layers 806 may be a laminate of
plural conductive layers. The material used for the conductive
layers 806 is copper in this embodiment but it is not limited
thereto. Any known metal material can be used as long as it has a
resistance lower than that of the material of opposite electrodes.
The conductive layers 806 help to reduce the resistance of the
opposite electrodes to be formed later and, therefore, this
embodiment is suitable for a large-sized substrate.
[0226] Opposite electrodes 804 are formed next of a transparent
conductive film to cover the organic light emitting layers 803r,
803g, and 803b and the conductive layers 806. The transparent
conductive film used in this embodiment is an ITO film. The ITO
film can be formed by evaporation. This embodiment describes
particularly the case of using ion plating to form the ITO
film.
[0227] Ion plating is one of vapor surface treatment techniques
classified as evaporation. In ion plating, an evaporation material
evaporated in one way or other is ionized or excited by high
frequency plasma or vacuum electric discharge. The resultant ions
are accelerated by giving a negative electric potential to the
substrate to which the material is to be deposited, so that the
ions are adhered to the substrate.
[0228] Specific conditions for forming the opposite electrodes by
ion plating include setting the pressure at 0.01 to 1 Pa in an
inert gas atmosphere and keeping the substrate temperature at 100
to 300.degree.C during evaporation. Desirably, ITO as an
evaporation source has a sintered density of 70% or higher. The
optimal conditions for ion plating can be set suitably by an
operator.
[0229] When an evaporation material is ionized or excited by high
frequency plasma, the ionization rate or excitation rate of the
evaporation material is enhanced and, since the ionized or excited
evaporation material is in a high energy state, the ions are fully
coupled with oxygen while keeping the evaporation rate high.
Accordingly, a quality film can be obtained quickly.
[0230] The opposite electrodes 804 in this embodiment are formed
from a transparent conductive film by the ion plating described
above to a thickness of 80 to 120 nm. In this embodiment, the
transparent electrodes are formed from an indium tin oxide (ITO)
film or a transparent conductive film obtained by mixing 2 to 20%
of zinc oxide (ZnO) with indium oxide.
[0231] The method of forming the opposite electrodes of this
embodiment is not limited to the ion plating described above.
However, an ITO film formed by ion plating adheres well and has
high crystallinity at a relatively low temperature, reducing the
resistance thereof. Furthermore, ion plating can form a uniform
film over a relatively large area and therefore is suitable for a
large-sized substrate.
[0232] An R OLED 801r, a G OLED 801g, and a B OLED 801b are thus
completed in each pixel. The OLEDs respectively have the pixel
electrodes 802r, 802g, and 802b, the organic light emitting layers
803r, 803g, and 803b, and the opposite electrodes 804.
[0233] FIG. 28 is a top view of a substrate (element substrate) on
which the transistors of this embodiment are formed. In FIG. 28, a
pixel portion 831, a scanning line driving circuit 832, a signal
line driving circuit 833, and a terminal 834 are formed on a
substrate 830. The driving circuits as well as power supply lines
and opposite electrodes formed in the pixel portion are connected
to the terminal 834 through lead-out wiring lines 835.
[0234] If necessary, an IC chip on which a CPU, a memory and the
like are formed may be mounted to the element substrate by COG
(chip on glass).
[0235] The OLEDs are formed between the conductive layers 806 and
the structure thereof is shown in FIG. 29. The pixel electrodes 802
are electrodes of the pixels and formed between the conductive
layers 806. In the layer above the pixel electrodes, the organic
compound layers 803 are formed between the conductive layers 806.
The organic compound layers 803 successively form a stripe pattern
over the plural pixel electrodes 802.
[0236] The opposite electrodes 804 are formed in the layer above
the organic compound layers 803 and the conductive layers 806 to
come into contact with the conductive layers 806.
[0237] The lead-out wiring lines 835 are formed in the same layer
as scanning lines (not shown) and are not in direct contact with
the conductive layers 806. The contact is formed between the
lead-out wiring lines 835 and the opposite electrodes 804 at points
where they overlap.
[0238] This embodiment may be combined freely with Embodiment 3 or
4.
[0239] Embodiment 6
[0240] This embodiment describes structures of driving circuits (a
signal line driving circuit and a scanning line driving circuit) in
a light emitting device of the present invention which is driven by
a digital driving method.
[0241] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the structure of a signal
line driving circuit 601. Reference symbol 602 denotes a shift
register, 603, a memory circuit A, 604, a memory circuit B, and
605, a constant current circuit.
[0242] Clock signals CLK and start pulse signals SP are inputted to
the shift register 602. Digital video signals are inputted to the
memory circuit A 603 and latch signals are inputted to the memory
circuit B 604. The constant current circuit 605 outputs a constant
signal current Ic, which is inputted to signal lines.
[0243] FIG. 18 shows a more detailed structure of the signal line
driving circuit 601.
[0244] The shift register 602 generates timing signals in response
to clock signals CLK and start pulse signals SP inputted from given
wiring lines. The timing signals are respectively inputted to a
plurality of latches A (LATA_1 to LATA_x) of the memory circuit A
603. The timing signals generated in the shift register 602 may be
buffered and amplified by a buffer or the like before inputting the
signals to the plural latches A (LATA_1 to LATA_x) of the memory
circuit A 603.
[0245] When timing signals are inputted to the memory circuit A
603, in sync with the timing signals, digital video signals
equivalent to one bit which are inputted to a video signal line 610
are sequentially written in the plural latches A (LATA_1 to LATA_x)
to be stored therein.
[0246] In this embodiment, digital video signals are sequentially
inputted to the plural latches A (LATA_1 to LATA_x) of the memory
circuit A 603 when inputting digital video signals into the memory
circuit A 603. However, the present invention is not limited
thereto. The invention may employ a so-called division driving in
which the plural stages of lathes of the memory circuit A 603 are
divided into a few groups and digital video signals are inputted to
the respective groups simultaneously. The number of groups in
division driving is referred to as number of division. For example,
if four stages of latches make one group, then it is four division
driving.
[0247] The time required for completing writing digital video
signals once into all stages of latches of the memory circuit A 603
is called a line period. In practice, sometimes the line period
defined as above plus a horizontal retrace period are regarded as a
line period.
[0248] Upon completion of one line period, latch signals are
supplied to a plurality of latches B (LATB_1 to LATB_x) of the
memory circuit B 604 through a latch signal line 609. At this
instant, the digital video signals that have been held in the
plural latches A (LATA_1 to LATA_x) of the memory circuit A 603 are
sent to the plural latches B (LATB_1 to LATB_x) of the memory
circuit B 604 all at once to be written and held therein.
[0249] Having sent the digital video signals to the memory circuit
B 604, the memory circuit A 603 now receives the next supply of
digital video signals equivalent to one bit so that the digital
video signals are sequentially written in response to timing
signals from the shift register 602.
[0250] After one line period is thus started for the second time,
the digital video signals written and held in the memory circuit B
604 are inputted to the constant current circuit 605.
[0251] The constant current circuit 605 has a plurality of current
setting circuits (C1 to Cx). When digital video signals are
respectively inputted to the current setting circuits (C1 to Cx),
information of '0' or '1' contained in the digital video signals
determines whether a constant current Ic flows in the signal line
or the signal line receives the electric potential of power supply
lines V1 to Vx.
[0252] FIG. 19 shows an example of the specific structure for the
current setting circuit C1. This structure is shared by the current
setting circuits C2 to Cx.
[0253] The current setting circuit C1 has a constant current source
631, four transmission gates SW1 to SW4, and two inverters Inb1 and
Inb2. A transistor 650 of the constant current source 631 has the
same polarity as those of transistors Tr1 and Tr2 of each
pixel.
[0254] Digital video signals outputted from the LATB_1 of the
memory circuit B 604 are used to control switching of SW1 to SW4.
Digital video signals inputted to SW1 and SW3 are inverted by Inb1
and Inb2 and the inverted digital video signals are inputted to SW2
and SW4. Accordingly, SW2 and SW4 are OFF when SW1 and SW3 are ON
and, when SW1 and SW3 are OFF, SW2 and SW4 are ON.
[0255] When SW1 and SW3 are ON, the current Ic having a given value
other than 0 is inputted from the constant current source 631 to a
signal line S1 through SW1 and SW3.
[0256] On the other hand, when SW2 and SW4 are ON, the current Ic
from the constant current source 631 is dropped to the ground
through SW2 and the power supply electric potential of the power
supply lines V1 to Vx is given to the signal line S1 to set Ic
nearly equal to 0 through SW4.
[0257] Back to FIG. 18, the operation described above is
simultaneously conducted in all of the current setting circuits (C1
to Cx) of the constant current circuit 605 in one line period.
Therefore the value of the signal current Ic to be inputted is
determined for the respective signal lines by digital video
signals.
[0258] The structure of the scanning line driving circuit is
described next.
[0259] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the structure of a
scanning line driving circuit 641.
[0260] The scanning line driving circuit 641 has a shift register
642 and a buffer 643. In some cases, the scanning line driving
circuit may have a level shifter.
[0261] In the scanning line driving circuit 641, timing signals are
generated upon input of clock signals CLK and start pulse signals
SP to the shift register 642. The timing signals generated are
buffered and amplified by the buffer 643 and then the signals are
supplied to associated scanning lines.
[0262] One scanning line is connected to gate electrodes of first
switching transistors and second switching transistors of one line
of pixels. Since the first switching transistors and second
switching transistors of one line of pixels have to be turned ON
all at once, the buffer 643 used is capable of causing a large
amount of current to flow.
[0263] Structures of the driving circuits used in the present
invention are not limited to those shown in this embodiment. The
structure of the constant current circuit of this embodiment is not
limited to the one illustrated in FIG. 19. The constant current
circuit used in the present invention can have any structure as
long as it can cause the signal current Ic whose value is chosen
from two values by a digital video signal to flow into a signal
line.
[0264] The structure of this embodiment can be combined freely with
Embodiments 1 through 5.
[0265] Embodiment 7
[0266] This embodiment describes an order sub-frame periods SF1 to
SFn turn up in a method of driving a light emitting device of the
present invention for n bit digital video signals.
[0267] FIG. 21 shows at which points n writing periods (Ta1 to Tan)
and n display periods (Td1 to Tdn) are started in one frame period.
The axis of abscissa indicates time whereas the axis of ordinate
indicates positions of scanning lines of pixels. Descriptions on
details about how the pixels operate are omitted here but can be
found in Embodiment Modes.
[0268] According to the driving method of this embodiment, the
sub-frame period that has the longest display period in one frame
period (in this embodiment, SFn) does not come first or last in the
one frame period. In other words, the sub-frame period that has the
longest display period in one frame period is interposed between
other sub-frame periods of the same frame period.
[0269] This makes it difficult for the human eye to recognize
uneven display caused by light emission in close display periods in
adjacent frame periods when an image is displayed with intermediate
gray scales.
[0270] The structure of this embodiment is effective when n 3. This
embodiment may be combined freely with Embodiments 1 through 6.
[0271] Embodiment 8
[0272] This embodiment describes a case of driving a light emitting
device of the present invention using 6 bit digital video
signals.
[0273] FIG. 22 shows at which points six writing periods (Ta1 to
Ta6) and six display periods (Td1 to Td6) are started in one frame
period. The axis of abscissa indicates time whereas the axis of
ordinate indicates positions of scanning lines of pixels.
Descriptions on details about how pixels operate are omitted here
but can be found in Embodiment Modes.
[0274] When the light emitting device is driven using 6 bit digital
video signals, at least six sub-frame periods SF1 to SF6 are
provided in one frame period.
[0275] The sub-frame periods SF1 to SF6 are respectively associated
with 1 bit digital video signals to 6 bit digital signals. The
sub-frame periods SF1 to SF6 have six writing periods (Ta1 to Ta6)
and six display periods (Td1 to Td6).
[0276] A sub-frame period SFm (m is an arbitrary number out of 1
through 6) has a writing period Tam and a display period Tdm that
are associated with the m-th bit digital video signals. The writing
period Tam is followed by a display period that is associated with
the same bit number, in this case, the display period Tdm.
[0277] A writing period Ta and a display period Td are repeatedly
alternated in one frame period to make it possible to display one
image.
[0278] Lengths of the display periods Td1 to Td6 are set to satisfy
Td1 : Td2 : ... : Td6 = 2.sup.0 : 2.sup.1 : ... : 2.sup.5.
[0279] In the driving method according to the present invention,
gray scales are obtained by controlling the sum of lengths of
display periods in one frame period in which light is emitted.
[0280] The structure of this embodiment may be combined freely with
Embodiments 1 through 7.
[0281] Embodiment 9
[0282] This embodiment describes a driving method using n bit
digital video signals which is different from those illustrated in
FIGS. 6 and 21.
[0283] FIG. 23 shows at which points n+1 writing periods (Ta1 to Ta
(n+1)) and n+1 display periods (Td1 to Td (n+1)) are started in one
frame period. The axis of abscissa indicates time whereas the axis
of ordinate indicates positions of scanning lines of pixels.
Descriptions on details about how the pixels operate are omitted
here but can be found in Embodiment Modes.
[0284] In this embodiment, one frame period has n+1 sub-frame
periods SF1 to SF (n+1) in accordance with n bit digital video
signals. The sub-frame periods SF1 to SF (n+1) have n+1 writing
periods (Ta1 to Ta (n+1)) and n+1 display periods (Td1 to Td
(n+1)).
[0285] A writing period Tam (m is an arbitrary number ranging from
1 to n+1) and a display period Tdm make a sub-frame period SFm. The
writing period Tam is followed by a display period associated with
the same bit number, in this case, the display period Tdm.
[0286] The sub-frame periods SF1 to SF (n-1) are respectively
associated with 1 bit digital video signals to (n-1) bit digital
video signals. The sub-frame periods SFn and SF (n+1) are both
associated with the n-th bit digital video signals.
[0287] The sub-frame periods SFn and SF (n+1) that are for the same
bit number do not immediately follow each other in this embodiment.
In other words, the sub-frame periods SFn and SF (n+1) that are for
digital video signals of the same bit number sandwich another
sub-frame period.
[0288] A writing period Ta and a display period Td are repeatedly
alternated in one frame period to make it possible to display one
image.
[0289] Lengths of the display periods Td1 to Td (n+1) are set so as
to satisfy Td1 : Td2 : ... : (Tdn + Td (n + 1)) = 2.sup.0 : 2.sup.1
: ... : 2.sup.n-1.
[0290] According to the driving method of the present invention,
gray scale display is obtained by controlling the total light
emission time of a pixel in one frame period, namely, for how many
display periods in one frame period the pixel emits light.
[0291] The above structure makes the uneven display in intermediate
gray scale display less recognizable to the human eye than in the
cases illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 21. The uneven display is caused
by adjoining display periods during which light is emitted in
adjacent frame periods.
[0292] Described in this embodiment is the case in which two
sub-frame periods are provided for digital video signal of the same
bit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Three
or more sub-frame periods may be provided for the same bit in one
frame period.
[0293] Although a plurality of sub-frame periods are provided for
the most significant bit digital video signal in this embodiment,
the present invention is not limited thereto. A digital video
signal of other bit than the most significant bit may have a
plurality of sub-frame periods. There is no need to limit the
number of digital video signal bits that can have a plurality of
sub-frame periods to one. A digital video signal of certain bit and
a digital video signal of another bit can respectively have plural
sub-frame periods.
[0294] The structure of this embodiment is effective when n 2. This
embodiment can be combined freely with Embodiments 1 through 8.
[0295] Embodiment 10
[0296] This embodiment describes the structure of a signal line
driving circuit in a light emitting device of the present invention
when the device is driven by an analog driving method. A scanning
line driving circuit of this device can have the structure shown in
Embodiment 6 and the description thereof is omitted here.
[0297] FIG. 31A is a block diagram of a signal line driving circuit
401 of this embodiment. Reference symbol 402 denotes a shift
register, 403, a buffer, 404, a sampling circuit, and 405, a
current converting circuit.
[0298] Clock signals (CLK) and start pulse signals (SP) are
inputted to the shift register 402. The shift register 402
generates timing signals in response to input of clock signals
(CLK) and start pulse signals (SP).
[0299] The timing signals generated are amplified, or buffered and
amplified, by the buffer 403 before inputted to the sampling
circuit 404. The timing signals may be amplified by a level shifter
instead of a buffer. Alternatively, the driving circuit may have a
buffer and a level shifter both.
[0300] FIG. 31B shows specific structures of the sampling circuit
404 and the current converting circuit 405. The sampling circuit
404 is connected to the buffer 403 at a terminal 410.
[0301] The sampling circuit 404 is provided with a plurality of
switches 411. Analog video signals are inputted from video signal
lines 406 to the sampling circuit 404. The switches 411 sample the
analog video signals in sync with the timing signals and then input
the sampled signals to the current converting circuit 405
downstream thereof. The only current converting circuit 405 shown
in FIG. 31B is one that is connected to one of the switches 411 of
the sampling circuit 404. However, current converting circuits
identical with the current converting circuit 405 shown in FIG. 31B
are connected downstream of the respective switches 411.
[0302] Each of the switches 411 is composed of one transistor in
this embodiment. However, the structure of the switches 411 is not
limited to the one shown in this embodiment and any switch can be
used as long as it can sample analog video signals in sync with
timing signals.
[0303] The analog video signals sampled are inputted to a current
output circuit 412 of the current converting circuit 405. The
current output circuit 412 outputs a current (signal current) in an
amount according to the voltage of the inputted video signals.
Although the current output circuit in FIG. 31B is composed of an
amplifier and a transistor, the present invention is not limited
thereto. The current output circuit may be any circuit as long as
it can output a current in an amount according to the voltage of a
signal inputted.
[0304] The signal current is inputted to a reset circuit 417 within
the same current converting circuit 405. The reset circuit 417 has
two analog switches 413 and 414, an inverter 416, and a power
supply 415.
[0305] Reset signals (Res) are inputted to the analog switch 414.
Reset signals (Res) inverted by the inverter 416 are inputted to
the analog switch 413. The analog switch 413 and the analog switch
414 operate in sync with inverted reset signals and reset signals,
respectively, and therefore one is ON while the other is OFF.
[0306] When the analog switch 413 is ON, the signal current is
inputted to the associated signal line. When the analog switch 414
is ON, on the other hand, the electric potential of the power
supply 415 is given to the signal line to reset the signal line.
The electric potential of the power supply 415 is desirably at
almost the same level as that of the electric potential of a power
supply line provided in a pixel. The closer the current flowing in
a signal line during reset of the signal line to 0, the better.
[0307] It is desirable to reset a signal line during a retrace
period. However, if necessary, a signal line may be reset during a
period other than a retrace period except when an image is
displayed.
[0308] The signal line driving circuit and scanning line driving
circuit for driving the light emitting device of the present
invention are not limited to the structures shown in this
embodiment. The structure of this embodiment can be combined freely
with the structures of Embodiments 1 through 9.
[0309] Embodiment 11
[0310] In this embodiment, an external light emitting quantum
efficiency can be remarkably improved by using an organic light
emitting material by which phosphorescence from a triplet exciton
can be employed for emitting a light. As a result, the power
consumption of the OLED can be reduced, the lifetime of the OLED
can be elongated and the weight of the OLED can be lightened.
[0311] The following is a report where the external light emitting
quantum efficiency is improved by using the triplet exciton (T.
Tsutsui,C Adachi, S. Saito, Photochemical processes in Organized
Molecular Systems, ed. K. Honda, (Elsevier Sci. Pub., Tokyo, 1991)
p. 437).
[0312] The molecular formula of an organic light emitting material
(coumarin pigment) reported by the above article is represented as
follows.
[0313] 1
[0314] (M. A. Baldo, D. F. O'Brien, Y. You, A. Shoustikov, S.
Sibley, M. E. Thompson. S. R. Forrest, Nature 395 (1998) p.151) The
molecular formula of an organic light emitting material (Pt
complex) reported by the above article is represented as
follows.
[0315] 2
[0316] (M. A. Baldo, S. Lamansky, P. E. Burrows, M. E. Thompson, S.
R. Forrest, Appl. Phys. Lett., 75 (1999) p.4.) (T. Tsutsui, M.-J.
Yang, M. Yahiro, K. Nakamura, T. Watanabe, T. Tsuji, Y. Fukuda, T.
Wakimoto, S. Mayaguchi, Jpn. Appl. Phys., 38 (12B) (1999) L1502.)
The molecular formula of an organic light emitting material (Ir
complex) reported by the above article is represented as
follows.
[0317] 3
[0318] As described above, if phosphorescence from a triplet
exciton can be put to practical use, it can realize the external
light emitting quantum efficiency three to four times as high as
that in the case of using fluorescence from a singlet exciton in
principle.
[0319] The structure according to this embodiment can be freely
implemented in combination of any structures of the Embodiments 1
to 10.
[0320] Embodiment 12
[0321] In this embodiment, an example of manufacturing the light
emitting device using the present invention is described with
reference to FIGS. 24 (A) to 24 (C).
[0322] FIG. 24 is a top view of the light emitting device which is
formed according as the element substrate with the transistor is
sealed by sealing materials, FIG. 24 (B) is a cross sectional view
taken along with a line A-A' of FIG. 24 (A), and FIG. 24 (C) is a
cross sectional view taken along with a line B-B' of FIG. 24
(A).
[0323] A seal member 4009 is provided so as to surround a pixel
portion 4002, a signal line driver circuit 4003, and the first,
second scanning line driver circuits 4004a, 4004b, which are
provided on a substrate 4001. Further, a sealing material 4008 is
provided on the pixel portion 4002, the signal line driver circuit
4003, and the first, the second scanning line driver circuits
4004a, 4004b. Thus, the pixel portion 4002, the signal line driver
circuit 4003, and the first, the second scanning line driver
circuits 4004a, 4004b are sealed by the substrate 4001, the seal
member 4009 and the sealing material 4008 together with a filler
4210.
[0324] Further, the pixel portion 4002, the signal line driver
circuit 4003, and the first, the second scanning line driver
circuits 4004a, 4004b, which are provided on the substrate 4001,
have a plurality of TFTs. In FIG. 24 (B), a driver circuit TFT
(Here, an n-channel TFT and a p-channel TFT are shown in the
figure.) 4201 included in the signal line driver circuit 4003 and a
current controlling TFT (transistor Tr3) 4202 included in the pixel
portion 4002, which are formed on a base film 4010, are typically
shown.
[0325] In this embodiment, the p-channel TFT or the n-channel TFT
manufactured by a known method is used as the driver circuit TFT
4201, and the p-channel TFT manufactured by a known method is used
as the current controlling TFT 4202. Further, the display pixel
portion 4002 is provided with a storage capacitor (not shown)
connected to a gate electrode of the current controlling TFT
4202.
[0326] An interlayer insulating film (leveling film) 4301 is formed
on the driver circuit TFT 4201 and the current controlling TFT
4202, and a pixel electrode (anode) 4203 electrically connected to
a drain of the current controlling TFT 4202 is formed thereon. A
transparent conductive film having a large work function is used
for the pixel electrode 4203. A compound of indium oxide and tin
oxide, a compound of indium oxide and zinc oxide, zinc oxide, tin
oxide or indium oxide can be used for the transparent conductive
film. The above transparent conductive film added with gallium may
also be used.
[0327] Then, an insulating film 4302 is formed on the pixel
electrode 4203, and the insulating film 4302 is formed with an
opening portion on the pixel electrode 4203. In this opening
portion, an organic light emitting layer 4204 is formed on the
pixel electrode 4203. A known organic light emitting material or
inorganic light emitting material may be used for the organic light
emitting layer 4204. Further, there exist a low molecular weight
(monomer) material and a high molecular weight (polymer) material
as the organic light emitting materials, and both the materials may
be used.
[0328] A known evaporation technique or application technique may
be used as a method of forming the organic light emitting layer
4204. Further, the structure of the organic light emitting layer
may take a lamination structure or a single layer structure by
freely combining a hole injecting layer, a hole transporting layer,
a light emitting layer, an electron transporting layer and an
electron injecting layer.
[0329] A cathode 4205 made of a conductive film having light
shielding property (typically, conductive film containing aluminum,
copper or silver as its main constituent or lamination film of the
above conductive film and another conductive film) is formed on the
organic light emitting layer 4204. Further, it is desirable that
moisture and oxygen that exist on an interface of the cathode 4205
and the organic light emitting layer 4204 are removed as much as
possible. Therefore, such a device is necessary that the organic
light emitting layer 4204 is formed in a nitrogen or rare gas
atmosphere, and then, the cathode 4205 is formed without exposure
to oxygen and moisture. In this embodiment, the above-described
film deposition is enabled by using a multi-chamber type (cluster
tool type) film forming device. In addition, a predetermined
voltage is given to the cathode 4205.
[0330] As described above, an OLED 4303 constituted of the pixel
electrode (anode) 4203, the organic light emitting layer 4204 and
the cathode 4205 is formed. Further a protective film 4303 is
formed on the insulating film 4302 so as to cover the OLED 4303.
The protective film 4209 is effective in preventing oxygen,
moisture and the like from permeating the OLED 4303.
[0331] Reference numeral 4005a denotes wiring drawn to be connected
to the power supply line, and the wiring 4005a is electrically
connected to a source region of the current controlling TFT 4202.
The drawn wiring 4005a passes between the seal member 4009 and the
substrate 4001, and is electrically connected to an FPC wiring 4301
of an FPC 4006 through an anisotropic conductive film 4300.
[0332] A glass material, a metal material (typically, stainless
material), a ceramics material or a plastic material (including a
plastic film) can be used for the sealing material 4008. As the
plastic material, an FRP (fiberglass-reinforced plastics) plate, a
PVF (polyvinyl fluoride) film, a Mylar film, a polyester film or an
acrylic resin film may be used. Further, a sheet with a structure
in which an aluminum foil is sandwiched with the PVF film or the
Mylar film can also be used.
[0333] However, in the case where the light from the OLED is
emitted toward the cover member side, the cover member needs to be
transparent. In this case, a transparent substance such as a glass
plate, a plastic plate, a polyester film or an acrylic film is
used.
[0334] Further, in addition to an inert gas such as nitrogen or
argon, an ultraviolet curable resin or a thermosetting resin may be
used as the filler 4210, so that PVC (polyvinyl chloride), acrylic,
polyimide, epoxy resin, silicone resin, PVB (polyvinyl butyral) or
EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) can be used. In this embodiment,
nitrogen is used for the filler.
[0335] Moreover, a concave portion 4007 is provided on the surface
of the sealing material 4008 on the substrate 4001 side, and a
hygroscopic substance or a substance that can absorb oxygen 4207 is
arranged therein in order that the filler 4210 is made to be
exposed to the hygroscopic substance (preferably, barium oxide) or
the substance that can absorb oxygen. Then, the hygroscopic
substance or the substance that can absorb oxygen 4207 is held in
the concave portion 4007 by a concave portion cover member 4208
such that the hygroscopic substance or the substance that can
absorb oxygen 4207 is not scattered. Note that the concave portion
cover member 4208 has a fine mesh form, and has a structure in
which air and moisture are penetrated while the hygroscopic
substance or the substance that can absorb oxygen 4207 is not
penetrated. The deterioration of the OLED 4303 can be suppressed by
providing the hygroscopic substance or the substance that can
absorb oxygen 4207.
[0336] As shown in FIG. 24(C), the pixel electrode 4203 is formed,
and at the same time, a conductive film 4203a is formed so as to
contact the drawn wiring 4005a.
[0337] Further, the anisotropic conductive film 4300 has conductive
filler 4300a. The conductive film 4203a on the substrate 4001 and
the FPC wiring 4301 on the FPC 4006 are electrically connected to
each other by the conductive filler 4300a by heat-pressing the
substrate 4001 and the FPC 4006.
[0338] Note that this embodiment can be implemented by being freely
combined with Embodiments 1 to 11.
[0339] Embodiment 13
[0340] This embodiment describes an example of the structure of a
pixel in a light emitting device of the present invention which is
different from the examples illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8.
[0341] The pixel structure of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 30A.
A pixel shown in FIG. 30A is denoted by 701 and has a signal line
Si (one of S1 to Sx), a first scanning line Gaj (one of Ga1 to
Gay), a second scanning line Gbj (one of Gb1 to Gby), and a power
supply line Vi (one of V1 to Vx). The number of first scanning
lines and the number of second scanning lines in a pixel portion
may not always match.
[0342] The pixel 701 has, at least, a transistor Tr1 (a first
current controlling transistor or a first transistor), a transistor
Tr2 (a second current controlling transistor or a second
transistor), a transistor Tr3 (a third current controlling
transistor or a third transistor), a transistor Tr4 (a first
switching transistor or a fourth transistor), a transistor Tr5 (a
second switching transistor or a fifth transistor), a transistor
Tr6 (an erasing transistor or a sixth transistor), an OLED 704, and
a storage capacitor 705.
[0343] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr4 and of the transistor
Tr5 are connected to the first scanning line Gaj.
[0344] The transistor Tr4 has a source region and a drain region
one of which is connected to the signal line Si and the other of
which is connected to a drain region of the transistor Tr1. The
transistor Tr5 has a source region and a drain region one of which
is connected to the signal line Si and the other of which is
connected to a gate electrode of the transistor Tr3.
[0345] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr1 and of the transistor
Tr2 are connected to each other. Source regions of the transistor
Tr1 and of the transistor Tr2 are connected to the power supply
line Vi.
[0346] The gate electrode of the transistor Tr2 is connected to a
drain region thereof. The drain region of the transistor Tr2 is
connected to a source region of the transistor Tr3.
[0347] A gate electrode of the transistor Tr6 is connected to the
second scanning line Gbj. The transistor Tr6 has a source region
and a drain region one of which is connected to the power supply
line Vi and the other of which is connected to the gate electrodes
of the transistor Tr1 and of the transistor Tr2.
[0348] A drain region of the transistor Tr3 is connected to a pixel
electrode of the OLED 704. The electric potential of the power
supply line Vi (power supply electric potential) is kept constant.
The electric potential of an opposite electrode is also kept
constant.
[0349] The transistor Tr4 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistor Tr5.
However, the transistor Tr4 and the transistor Tr5 have to have the
same polarity.
[0350] The transistor Tr1 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistors Tr2
and Tr3. However, the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and Tr3 have to have
the same polarity. When the pixel electrode serves as an anode and
the opposite electrode serves as a cathode, the transistors Tr1,
Tr2, and Tr3 are p-channel transistors. On the other hand,
n-channel transistors are used for the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and
Tr3 when the opposite electrode serves as an anode and the pixel
electrode serves as a cathode.
[0351] The transistor Tr6 may be an n-channel TFT or a p-channel
TFT.
[0352] The storage capacitor 705 is formed between the gate
electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the power supply line Vi. The
storage capacitor 705 is provided to maintain the voltage between
the gate electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the source region
thereof (gate voltage) more securely but it may not always be
necessary.
[0353] The transistors Tr1 and Tr2 may have storage capacitor s
between their gate electrodes and the power supply line so that the
gate voltages of the transistors Tr1 and Tr2 can be maintained more
securely.
[0354] FIG. 30B shows another structure for the pixel of this
embodiment. A pixel shown in FIG. 30B is denoted by 711 and has a
signal line Si (one of S1 to Sx), a first scanning line Gaj (one of
Ga1 to Gay), a second scanning line Gbj (one of Gb1 to Gby), and a
power supply line Vi (one of V1 to Vx). The number of first
scanning lines and the number of second scanning lines in a pixel
portion may not always match.
[0355] The pixel 711 has, at least, a transistor Tr1 (a first
current controlling transistor or a first transistor), a transistor
Tr2 (a second current controlling transistor or a second
transistor), a transistor Tr3 (a third current controlling
transistor or a third transistor), a transistor Tr4 (a first
switching transistor or a fourth transistor), a transistor Tr5 (a
second switching transistor or a fifth transistor), a transistor
Tr6 (an erasing transistor or a sixth transistor), an OLED 714, and
a storage capacitor 715.
[0356] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr4 and of the transistor
Tr5 are connected to the first scanning line Gaj.
[0357] The transistor Tr4 has a source region and a drain region
one of which is connected to the signal line Si and the other of
which is connected to a drain region of the transistor Tr1. The
transistor Tr5 has a source region and a drain region one of which
is connected to the drain region of the transistor Tr1 and the
other of which is connected to a gate electrode of the transistor
Tr3.
[0358] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr1 and of the transistor
Tr2 are connected to each other. Source regions of the transistor
Tr1 and of the transistor Tr2 are connected to the power supply
line Vi.
[0359] The gate electrode of the transistor Tr2 is connected to a
drain region thereof. The drain region of the transistor Tr2 is
connected to a source region of the transistor Tr3.
[0360] A gate electrode of the transistor Tr6 is connected to the
second scanning line Gbj. The transistor Tr6 has a source region
and a drain region one of which is connected to the power supply
line Vi and the other of which is connected to the gate electrodes
of the transistor Tr1 and of the transistor Tr2.
[0361] A drain region of the transistor Tr3 is connected to a pixel
electrode of the OLED 714. The electric potential of the power
supply line Vi (power supply electric potential) is kept constant.
The electric potential of an opposite electrode is also kept
constant.
[0362] The transistor Tr4 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistor Tr5.
However, the transistor Tr4 and the transistor Tr5 have to have the
same polarity.
[0363] The transistor Tr1 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistors Tr2
and Tr3. However, the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and Tr3 have to have
the same polarity. When the pixel electrode serves as an anode and
the opposite electrode serves as a cathode, the transistors Tr1,
Tr2, and Tr3 are p-channel transistors. On the other hand,
n-channel transistors are used for the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and
Tr3 when the opposite electrode serves as an anode and the pixel
electrode serves as a cathode.
[0364] The transistor Tr6 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor.
[0365] The storage capacitor 715 is formed between the gate
electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the power supply line Vi. The
storage capacitor 715 is provided to maintain the gate voltage of
the transistor Tr3 more securely but it may not always be
necessary.
[0366] The transistors Tr1 and Tr2 may have storage capacitor s
between their gate electrodes and the power supply line so that the
gate voltages of the transistors Tr1 and Tr2 can be maintained more
securely.
[0367] FIG. 30C shows another structure for the pixel of this
embodiment. A pixel shown in FIG. 30C is denoted by 721 and has a
signal line Si (one of S1 to Sx), a first scanning line Gaj (one of
Ga1 to Gay), a second scanning line Gbj (one of Gb1 to Gby), and a
power supply line Vi (one of V1 to Vx). The number of first
scanning lines and the number of second scanning lines in a pixel
portion may not always match.
[0368] The pixel 721 has, at least, a transistor Tr1 (a first
current controlling transistor or a first transistor), a transistor
Tr2 (a second current controlling transistor or a second
transistor), a transistor Tr3 (a third current controlling
transistor or a third transistor), a transistor Tr4 (a first
switching transistor or a fourth transistor), a transistor Tr5 (a
second switching transistor or a fifth transistor), a transistor
Tr6 (an erasing transistor or a sixth transistor), an OLED 724, and
a storage capacitor 725.
[0369] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr4 and of the transistor
Tr5 are connected to the first scanning line Gaj.
[0370] The transistor Tr4 has a source region and a drain region
one of which is connected to the signal line Si and the other of
which is connected to a gate electrode of the transistor Tr3. The
transistor Tr5 has a source region and a drain region one of which
is connected to the gate electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the
other of which is connected to a drain region of the transistor
Tr1.
[0371] Gate electrodes of the transistor Tr1 and of the transistor
Tr2 are connected to each other. Source regions of the transistor
Tr1 and of the transistor Tr2 are connected to the power supply
line Vi.
[0372] The gate electrode of the transistor Tr2 is connected to a
drain region thereof. The drain region of the transistor Tr2 is
connected to a source region of the transistor Tr3.
[0373] A gate electrode of the transistor Tr6 is connected to the
second scanning line Gbj. The transistor Tr6 has a source region
and a drain region one of which is connected to the power supply
line Vi and the other of which is connected to the gate electrodes
of the transistor Tr1 and of the transistor Tr2.
[0374] A drain region of the transistor Tr3 is connected to a pixel
electrode of the OLED 724. The electric potential of the power
supply line Vi (power supply electric potential) is kept constant.
The electric potential of an opposite electrode is also kept
constant.
[0375] The transistor Tr4 may be an n-channel TFT or a p-channel
TFT and the same applies to the transistor Tr5. However, the
transistor Tr4 and the transistor Tr5 have to have the same
polarity.
[0376] The transistor Tr1 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor and the same applies to the transistors Tr2
and Tr3. However, the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and Tr3 have to have
the same polarity. When the pixel electrode serves as an anode and
the opposite electrode serves as a cathode, the transistors Tr1,
Tr2, and Tr3 are p-channel transistors. On the other hand,
n-channel transistors are used for the transistors Tr1, Tr2, and
Tr3 when the opposite electrode serves as an anode and the pixel
electrode serves as a cathode.
[0377] The transistor Tr6 may be an n-channel transistor or a
p-channel transistor.
[0378] The storage capacitor 725 is formed between the gate
electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the power supply line Vi. The
storage capacitor 725 is provided to maintain the voltage between
the gate electrode of the transistor Tr3 and the source region
thereof (gate voltage) more securely but it may not always be
necessary.
[0379] The transistors Tr1 and Tr2 may have storage capacitor s
between their gate electrodes and the power supply line so that the
gate voltages of the transistors Tr1 and Tr2 can be maintained more
securely.
[0380] A light emitting device having a pixel structured as shown
in FIG. 30A, 30B or 30C is driven by a digital driving method and
an analog driving method cannot be used to drive the device. In the
pixels shown in FIGS. 30A, 30B, and 30C, it is possible to make the
OLEDs 704, 714, and 724 stop emitting light by controlling the
electric potential of the second scanning line Gbj so as to turn
the transistor Tr5 ON while the OLEDs are emitting light. Therefore
display periods of pixels can be forcedly terminated while
inputting digital video signals to pixels. Display periods thus can
be made shorter than writing periods and the pixel structures are
suitable for driving the device using digital video signals of high
bit number.
[0381] The structure of this embodiment may be combined freely with
the structures shown in Embodiments 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and
12.
[0382] Embodiment 14
[0383] The light emitting device using the OLED is of the
self-emission type, and thus exhibits more excellent
recognizability of the displayed image in a light place as compared
to the liquid crystal display device. Furthermore, the light
emitting device has a wider viewing angle. Accordingly, the light
emitting device can be applied to a display portion in various
electronic devices.
[0384] Such electronic devices using a light emitting device of the
present invention include a video camera, a digital camera, a
goggles-type display (head mount display), a navigation system, a
sound reproduction device (a car audio equipment and an audio set),
a lap-top computer, a game machine, a portable information terminal
(a mobile computer, a portable telephone, a portable game machine,
an electronic book, or the like), an image reproduction apparatus
including a recording medium (more specifically, an apparatus which
can reproduce a recording medium such as a digital video disc (DVD)
and so forth, and includes a display for displaying the reproduced
image), or the like. In particular, in the case of the portable
information terminal, use of the light emitting device is
preferable, since the portable information terminal that is likely
to be viewed from a tilted direction is often required to have a
wide viewing angle. FIG. 25A to 25H respectively shows various
specific examples of such electronic equipment.
[0385] FIG. 25 (A) illustrates a display device using OLED which
includes a casing 2001, a support table 2002, a display portion
2003, a speaker portion 2004, a video input terminal 2005 or the
like. The present invention is applicable to the display portion
2003. The light emitting device is of the self-emission type and
therefore requires no back light. Thus, the display portion thereof
can have a thickness thinner than that of the liquid crystal
display device. The OLED display device is including the entire
display device for displaying information, such as a personal
computer, a receiver of TV broadcasting and an advertising
display.
[0386] FIG. 25 (B) illustrated a digital still camera which
includes a main body 2101, a display portion 2102, an image
receiving portion 2103, an operation key 2104, an external
connection port 2105, a shutter 2106, or the like. The light
emitting device in accordance with the present invention can be
used as the display portion 2102.
[0387] FIG. 25 (C) illustrates a lap-top computer which includes a
main body 2201, a casing 2202, a display portion 2203, a keyboard
2204, an external connection port 2205, a pointing mouse 2206, or
the like. The light emitting device in accordance with the present
invention can be used as the display portion 2203.
[0388] FIG. 25 (D) illustrated a mobile computer which includes a
main body 2301, a display portion 2302, a switch 2303, an operation
key 2304, an infrared port 2305, or the like. The light emitting
device in accordance with the present invention can be used as the
display portion 2302.
[0389] FIG. 25 (E) illustrates a portable image reproduction
apparatus including a recording medium (more specifically, a DVD
reproduction apparatus), which includes a main body 2401, a casing
2402, a display portion A 2403, another display portion B 2404, a
recording medium (DVD or the like) reading portion 2405, an
operation key 2406, a speaker portion 2407 or the like. The display
portion A 2403 is used mainly for displaying image information,
while the display portion B 2404 is used mainly for displaying
character information. The light emitting device in accordance with
the present invention can be used as these display portions A 2403
and B 2404. The image reproduction apparatus including a recording
medium further includes a game machine or the like.
[0390] FIG. 25 (F) illustrates a goggle type display (head mounted
display) which includes a main body 2501, a display portion 2502,
arm portion 2503 or the like. The light emitting device in
accordance with the present invention can be used as the display
portion 2502.
[0391] FIG. 25 (G) illustrates a video camera which includes a main
body 2601, a display portion 2602, a casing 2603, an external
connecting port 2604, a remote control receiving portion 2605, an
image receiving portion 2606, a battery 2607, a sound input portion
2608, an operation key 2609, or the like. The light emitting device
in accordance with the present invention can be used as the display
portion 2602.
[0392] FIG. 25 (H) illustrates a portable telephone which includes
a main body 2701, a casing 2702, a display portion 2703, a sound
input portion 2704, a sound output portion 2705, an operation key
2706, an external connecting port 2707, an antenna 2708, or the
like. The light emitting device in accordance with the present
invention can be used as the display portion 2703. Note that the
display portion 2703 can reduce power consumption of the portable
telephone by displaying white-colored characters on a black-colored
background.
[0393] When the brighter luminance of light emitted from the
organic light emitting material becomes available in the future,
the light emitting device in accordance with the present invention
will be applicable to a front-type or rear-type projector in which
light including output image information is enlarged by means of
lenses or the like to be projected.
[0394] The aforementioned electronic equipments are more likely to
be used for display information distributed through a
telecommunication path such as Internet, a CATV (cable television
system), and in particular likely to display moving picture
information. The light emitting device is suitable for displaying
moving pictures since the organic light emitting material can
exhibit high response speed.
[0395] A portion of the light emitting device that is emitting
light consumes power, so it is desirable to display information in
such a manner that the light emitting portion therein becomes as
small as possible. Accordingly, when the light emitting device is
applied to a display portion which mainly displays character
information, e.g., a display portion of a portable information
terminal, and more particular, a portable telephone or a sound
reproduction device, it is desirable to drive the light emitting
device so that the character information is formed by a light
emitting portion while a non-emission portion corresponds to the
background.
[0396] As set forth above, the present invention can be applied
variously to a wide range of electronic devices in all fields. The
electronic device in this embodiment can be obtained by utilizing a
light emitting device having the configuration in which the
structures in Embodiments 1 to 13 are freely combined.
[0397] With the structure described above, a light emitting device
of the present invention can keep the luminance constant without
being influenced by temperature change. If the device is to display
an image in color and different organic light emitting materials
are used for OLEDs of different colors, the luminance of the OLEDs
of different colors changes uniformly to obtain desired colors.
* * * * *