Film donor device for laser induced thermal imaging
View Patent ↗A laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) apparatus and a method of making an electronic device using the same are disclosed. The LITI apparatus includes a chamber, a substrate support, a contact frame, and a laser source or oscillator. The LITI apparatus transfers a transferable layer from a film donor device onto a surface of an intermediate electronic device. The LITI apparatus uses a magnetic force to provide a close contact between the transferable layer and the surface of the intermediate device. The magnetic force is generated by magnetic materials formed in two components of the LITI apparatus that are spaced apart interposing transferable layer and the surface of the intermediate device. Magnets or magnetic materials are formed in the two following components of the LITI apparatus: 1) the intermediate device and the film donor device; 2) the intermediate device and the contact frame; 3) the substrate support and the film donor device; or 4) the substrate support and the contact frame.
1. A film donor device for use in laser induced thermal imaging, the film donor device comprising:
a substrate;
a transferable film layer configured to transfer a portion thereof upon application of an amount of heat thereto, the transferable film layer comprising an organic material; and
a magnetic layer comprising a magnet;
wherein the magnetic layer is interposed between the substrate and the transferable film layer, or the substrate is interposed between the magnetic layer and the transferable film layer; and
wherein the magnet comprises an electromagnet, and wherein the film donor device further comprises an electrode electrically connected to the electromagnet and configured to be connected to an external power source.
2. The film donor device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic layer is overlapping with the entire portion of the transferable film layer.
3. The film donor device of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnet comprises one or more forms selected from the group consisting of plates, chips, rods, and particles.
4. The film donor device of claim 1 , further comprising a light-to-heat conversion layer configured to generate heat upon applying light of a wavelength thereto, the light-to-heat conversion layer being interposed between the substrate and transferable film layer.
5. The film donor device of claim 4 , wherein the magnetic layer is interposed between the substrate and the light-to-heat conversion layer.
6. The film donor device of claim 4 , wherein the magnetic layer is interposed between the light-to-heat conversion layer and the transferable film layer.
7. The film donor device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic layer further comprises a light-to-heat conversion material configured to generate heat upon applying light of a wavelength thereto.
8. The film donor device of claim 1 , wherein the magnet is in an amount to generate a magnetic field from about 5 mG (gauss) to about 50 mG (gauss).
9. A method of making an electronic device, comprising:
providing a receiving apparatus comprising an intermediate product and a supporting device, the receiving apparatus comprising a magnetic layer, the intermediate product comprising a receiving surface, the supporting device being configured to support the intermediate product, the magnetic layer of the receiving apparatus comprises a magnet or a magnetically attractable material;
providing the film donor device of claim 1 ;
arranging the film donor device such that the transferable film layer faces the receiving surface and that the magnetic layers of the receiving apparatus and the film donor device attract each other, whereby the transferable film layer contacts the receiving surface substantially free of bubbles therebetween;
irradiating a laser beam onto at least a portion of the film donor device; and
transferring at least a portion of the transferable film layer onto the receiving surface.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the intermediate product comprises the magnetic layer.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the supporting device comprises the magnetic layer.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the method is performed in a substantially vacuum atmosphere.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the electronic device comprises an organic light emitting display.