Advances in Printed Organic Photonics and Photovoltaics

Abstract

There is an ever-increasing demand for smaller and lighter weight electronic and optoelectronic devices that consume less power, have greater functionality, and can be fabricated using environmentally benign processes. Recent advances in organic light-emitting devices enforce the notion that organic and hybrid based materials, and devices, are indeed key enablers for novel electronic and optoelectronic devices. The ability of these molecular and/or polymeric organic materials to be processed and fabricated on plastic substrates will be a key factor in the development, for example, of roll-up-displays, and disposable plastic electronics. Currently, processing and fabrication of organic-based electronic, optical, and optoelectronic materials and devices is carried, by-in- large, using traditional techniques such as spin coating [SC], dip coating, and vacuum thermal deposition. However, these techniques are either limited to certain substrate geometry, or costly and time consuming. A tremendous advantage can be gained by incorporating printing techniques in the processing and fabrication of organic materials and devices. Printing methods such as ink jet and screen printing (SP) can be useful in the fabrication of certain types of devices based on organic materials. We will discuss the use of SP and ink jet printing techniques in the rapidly growing area of organic optoelectronics.