OLED displays provide massive contrast boost

Opsys has produced the first passive matrix organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays from its new prototyping line in Fremont, California.

Opsys has produced the first passive matrix organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays from its new prototyping line in Fremont, California.

The new prototypes mark the successful and rapid implementation of the fluorescent small molecule OLED technology that Opsys has licensed from Eastman Kodak Company.

The 31.37mm (1.24in) diagonal displays are designed for use in mobile phones.

They are just 1.8mm thick, have 128 x 64 pixels, a luminance of 40cd/m2 and an excellent contrast (greater than 100:1, compared with typically 5:1 for an LCD mobile phone display).

The displays can be manufactured in various colours and feature built in controllers for brightness and 'sleep' mode.

In addition, because the switching speed of OLED displays is much faster than that of LCDs, these displays are capable of high speed text and image scrolling, a feature which is becoming important with the increased use of text services by mobile phone users.

The prototyping line, installed in October 2001, handles 200 x 200mm substrates and gives Opsys the capability to sample small to medium sized displays suitable for mobile applications.

Opsys is currently sampling these prototypes to potential customers.

Full colour 2in OLED display prototypes are also under development.

Damoder Reddy, Opsys' Chief Operating Officer, commented, "To have produced these displays in January from a facility which was still an empty shell in August is a major achievement.

We are pleased to have made this rapid development, aided with close co-operation from Kodak".

Opsys established its 4200m2 US facility in Fremont, California to gain access to the excellent flat panel display R and D and manufacturing skills in the Silicon Valley area.

Since opening the facility Opsys has recruited over 20 experienced technologists to the operation.

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