Coated articles and/or devices with optical out-coupling layer stacks (OCLS), and/or methods of making the same
View Patent ↗Certain example embodiments relate to organic light emitting diode (OLED) inclusive devices, and/or methods of making the same. A substrate supports a transparent conductive coating (TCC) based layer, and first and second organic layers disposed thereon. A reflective conductive layer is supported by the organic layers. An out-coupling layer stack (OCLS) interposed between the organic layers and a viewer of the device includes a hybrid organic-inorganic polymer matrix having scatterers dispersed throughout in a manner such that each scatterer is located in the far field of its nearest neighbor. The scatterers are dispersed to have a high Zeta potential, and promote Mie-like scattering of light passing through the OCLS. Mie-like scattering caused by the OCLS may help to frustrate the wave-guiding modes in the glass, e.g., by breaking down the in-phase coherence.
1. An organic light emitting diode (OLED) inclusive device, comprising:
a glass substrate;
a layer comprising a transparent conductive coating (TCC), supported by the substrate;
first and second organic layers supported by the layer comprising the TCC;
a reflective conductive layer supported by the first and second organic layers; and
an out-coupling layer stack (OCLS), interposed between the organic layers and a viewer of the device,
wherein the OCLS includes a hybrid organic-inorganic polymer matrix having scatterers dispersed throughout in a manner such that each scatterer is located in the far field of its nearest neighbor, the scatterers being sized, shaped, and positioned relative to one another so as to (a) have a high Zeta potential, and (b) promote Mie-like scattering of light passing through the OCLS.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein there is no or substantially no systematic phase relationship in connection with the dispersed scatterers, except for coherent exact forward scattering.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the matrix includes a polymeric monomer to which Ti, Hf, and/or Zr oxo-clusters are added.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the refractive index for the OCLS is 1.8-1.9, and the absorption coefficient for the OCLS is at or near 0.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the layer comprising the TCC comprises indium tin oxide and is set up as an anode, and wherein the reflective conductive layer is set up as a cathode.