OLEDWORKS LLC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: Organic light emitting diode (OLED) is an efficient lighting technology that provides a fu

Description

Organic light emitting diode (OLED) is an efficient lighting technology that provides a full spectrum lambertian light from a very thin panel. This low glare lambertian property is a desired feature when creating natural light experiences. However, there are applications where the lighting designer wants to capture the look and feel of the thin panels and pleasing light, but with added requirement of shaping the light output without compromise on energy efficiency. There is a demand for directing light away from normal including marker light and task light applications. The OLED light can be directed where it has most functionality while not losing its inherent light quality advantages. Light shaping using wave guides and optical films is a common practice for LED lights, and OLEDs can leverage these fundamental technologies. However, it is not known if these wave guides and optical films can be effectively combined with the necessary light extraction for OLED lights to achieve both high efficacy and light shaping. Efficient OLEDs use light extraction techniques to harvest light that is trapped in the OLED structure or glass. External extraction solutions include scattering films and microlenslet structures; the latter does not eliminate angular white light color shift. It is desired to integrate light extraction, UV filtering, color shift management and light shaping into a single, potentially multi-layered, film. It is important to recognize that the design of the film will depend on the optical and emitting characteristics of the OLED; therefore the OLED thin film stack must be adjusted to deliver required light color and quality after being processed through extraction and turning structures. A system integration approach must be taken to make a compelling low cost product that still embraces the thinness and light quality of the OLED while maintaining high efficacy. For this Phase I project, we will conduct system research and development resulting in a 4 prototype for directional white light panels with efficiency of & gt;45 lumens per watt, with roadmap for & gt;60 lumen per watt as well as for color applications such as amber in the health care market. This research will include co-optimization of the OLED formulation and light extraction structures along with external films designed to direct the light in specific emission patterns. We will develop an understanding of the capability of existing directional films as well as the desired design specifically made for OLEDs through optical simulation and experimental verification, for both single wavelength amber OLEDs as well as multi-wavelength white OLEDs.