Optimization of microcavity OLED by varying the thickness of multi-layered mirror

We optimized the emission efficiency from a microcavity OLEDs consisting of widely used organic materials, N,N′-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N′-diphenylbenzidine (NPB) as a hole transport layer and tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) (Alq₃) as emitting and electron transporting layer. LiF/Al was used as a cathode, while metallic Ag was used as an anode material. A LiF/NPB bi-layer or NPB layer on top of the cathode was considered to alter the optical properties of the top mirror. The electroluminescence emission spectra, electric field distribution inside the device, carrier density, recombination rate and exciton density were calculated as a function of the position of the emission layer. The results show that for optimal capping layers thicknesses, light output is enhanced as a result of the increase in both the reflectance and transmittance of the top mirror. Once the optimum structure has been determined, the microcavity OLED devices were fabricated and characterized. The experimental results have been compared to the simulations and the influence of the thickness of the mirror layers, emission region width and position on the performance of microcavity OLEDs was discussed.