Cost Estimates of Roll-to-Roll Production of Organic Light Emitting Devices for Lighting

Abstract

White organic light emitting devices (WOLEDs) offer distinct advantages as solid state lighting sources, including high energy efficiency, superior color quality, and a flexible, thin profile that can accommodate a vast array of possible fixture designs. Recent advances in device lifetime and high speed deposition suggest that mass production of WOLED panels is approaching an inflection point. To understand the tradeoffs in the volume manufacturing of WOLED lighting panels, in this work, we estimate the cost of white WOLED panel production based on vacuum and vapor phase deposition in a roll-to-roll production line envisioned to yield an annual capacity of at least 6 × 106 m2. Assuming a WOLED operating luminance at 10 klm/m2, we anticipate a $12.5/klm cost of a WOLED light engine that includes the cost of the current driver and packaging. With incremental reduction in material and driver costs and improved luminance, the cost of WOLED lighting can be reduced to $6.3/klm in the near term, potentially positioning WOLEDs for use in numerous premium lighting applications.