Transparent, Conformable Miniature Phosphorescent OLED Displays

The goal of this U.S. Army SBIR Program is to develop conformable, transparent, low power displays for Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) systems. Universal Display Corporation (UDC) is developing advanced organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology based ontheir proprietary high-efficiency phosphorescent devices. For HMDs, OLEDs can simplify the optical design and number of elements, reducing weight, size and cost for improved human factors and user acceptance. UDC has also developed expertise in thedesign, development and fabrication of transparent OLEDs (TOLEDTM), and flexible OLEDs (FOLEDTM).Phase II will extend Phase I to demonstrate key components of a transparent, conformable active matrix OLED (AMOLED) display. We will fabricate demonstration devices with low address line resistivity and high optical transmissivity, using technologycompatible with low temperature conformable substrates. We will deliver monochrome video-rate transparent AMOLED displays, and address their fabrication enabling conformability in 2 dimensions, with a target radius of curvature of 10cm. To the best of ourknowledge, these deliverables will represent the first demonstration of these novel technologies, and in combination will advance OLED display technology in new directions, enabling a truly revolutionary emissive display -- a high efficiency, highresolution transparent and conformable AMOLED display for advanced HMD applications.The successful outcome of this Program will create myriad benefits in a variety of potential military and commercial applications. It will provide the U.S Army with a clearly demonstrated technology path for transparent, conformable displays for HMDapplications. Beyond current U.S. Army application, HMDs are increasingly being designed into industrial, medical and, even, consumer applications where conformable, transparent displays offer desirable features. Additionally, transparency andconformability have the potential to create a host of novel display products and market opportunities beyond those currently envisioned for existing display markets. For example, these include avionic and automotive applications for conformed instrumentpanel displays and windscreen-integrated head-up displays. Moreover, replacing glass with plastic substrates improves ruggedness and safety in addition to reducing weight, extremely attractive features in these applications. Transparency enables overlaydisplays to be incorporated into cockpits and automobile windshields. Display Search now projects a $1.7B billion market for OLEDs in 2005, growing to $2.8B in 2007. By developing all the key technology components necessary to fabricate these displays,the UDC team through the work under this Program, expects to commercialize these technologies for military and commercial applications through joint ventures and licensing partnerships with established flat panel display manufacturers.