1만PPI 초초초고해상도 마이크로 OLED 증착 기술은?

Summary

In this insightful interview, Professor Hwang Chang-hoon, a professor at Dankook University and CEO of a startup, discusses the future of OLED technology. He elaborates on the limitations of current OLED deposition techniques and introduces an innovative 'surface source deposition' method that significantly reduces the shadow effect, enabling higher resolutions (up to 10,000 ppi) and better material efficiency. The conversation also touches on the financial challenges faced by startups in this advanced field and the potential of domestic technologies in revolutionizing the OLED industry, particularly for applications like AR.

Takeaways

• 😀 Professor Hwang Chang-hoon, also CEO of a venture company, discusses the latest developments in OLED technology and micro-OLED displays.
• 😀 Current OLED displays are limited by the resolution (around 550 PPI) and advancements have stagnated for about 5 years.
• 😀 Hwang emphasizes the potential for OLED resolution to increase fivefold in the future, driven by the need for more advanced deposition technologies.
• 😀 Existing deposition methods, particularly Fine Metal Mask (FMM) technology, have limitations due to issues like shadowing and the inability to achieve higher resolution.
• 😀 Shadowing in deposition arises because vaporized material diffuses at an angle, causing imperfections in pixel formation.
• 😀 A proposed solution to shadowing is the use of a vertical linear source that minimizes the spreading of vapor, potentially leading to more precise deposition and higher resolution.
• 😀 Hwang is developing a parallel beam deposition technology that would eliminate shadowing by ensuring material is deposited in a more controlled, vertical direction.
• 😀 This technology has already produced promising results, with shadowing reduced by 20 times compared to current FMM methods, suggesting that resolutions of up to 10,000 PPI could be achievable.
• 😀 The new deposition method would also improve the active area of OLED displays, potentially increasing efficiency and reducing power consumption by up to 2x.
• 😀 Despite the promising technology, the startup is facing challenges with limited funding and the high costs of production, but Hwang remains optimistic about the future of domestic OLED production and its potential to surpass foreign technologies.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Professor Hwang Chang-hoon's research?

Professor Hwang's research primarily focuses on improving OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display technology, specifically developing a new deposition technique for micro OLED displays with higher resolution and efficiency.

What are the limitations of current OLED technology as mentioned in the transcript?

The main limitation is the stagnation in OLED resolution, which has remained around 550 pixels per inch (PPI) for the last five years. This stagnation is due to the limitations of current deposition techniques, such as the linear source and FMM (fine metal mask) methods, which lead to issues like shadow effects that hinder resolution improvements.

How does the shadow effect occur in OLED deposition, and why is it a problem?

The shadow effect occurs when the vaporized organic materials, during deposition, spread in a slanted direction rather than vertically. This results in areas of the substrate being blocked from receiving a uniform coating, creating areas of low resolution or incomplete deposition. It is a significant issue for achieving higher pixel densities.

What is the proposed solution to reduce the shadow effect in OLED deposition?

The proposed solution is the use of a 'parallel beam' or 'vertical linear source' deposition method, which can reduce the spread of vaporized material and minimize the shadow effect. This method allows for a more uniform deposition, improving resolution and material efficiency.

What is the role of the 'invar' sheet in reducing the shadow effect?

The invar sheet is a thin, metal sheet used in the mask to reduce the shadow effect. However, there are physical limitations to how thin the sheet can be made, as it can’t be made too thin without compromising its structural integrity, making it challenging to eliminate the shadow effect entirely.

How does the 'plane source' deposition method work, and how does it address the shadow effect?

In the plane source method, a metal plate is used to first deposit a thin organic layer. The substrate is then flipped, and the metal plate is used to deposit a second layer of organic material. This method allows the material to be deposited in a more direct, perpendicular direction, significantly reducing the shadow effect and improving resolution.

What improvements can be expected from using the plane source deposition method?

Using the plane source method can reduce the shadow effect by up to 20 times, allowing for a potential increase in resolution up to 10,000 PPI, a major leap from the current 550 PPI limit. Additionally, this method improves material usage efficiency and may reduce production costs.

What are some potential challenges with the plane source deposition method?

One challenge with the plane source method is the increased complexity of the deposition process, which requires flipping the substrate and using additional equipment. This can lead to a slightly longer process time and may involve higher initial setup costs. However, the improvements in material usage and resolution could offset these drawbacks.

How does the new deposition method affect OLED display performance in terms of power consumption and lifespan?

The improved deposition method could lead to OLED displays with a larger active area, potentially doubling the active area while reducing power consumption and increasing the lifespan of the displays. This could improve battery life in devices like smartphones, where OLED is commonly used.

What is the current status of Professor Hwang's company, and what are their plans for the future?

Professor Hwang's company, established in 2017, has successfully developed early-stage technology for micro OLED displays. They have received funding from Bluepoint Partners and the Korean government, and they are now working on scaling up their technology for larger wafers and higher-performance micro OLED displays. They are also seeking additional investment for future development.