Abstract: A method of depositing a gate dielectric layer for a thin film transistor is provided. The gate dielectric layer is deposited using a plasma enhanced deposition with a gas mixture comprising a silicon and chlorine containing compound.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a nozzle plate of an inkjet print head are provided. A first method includes positioning a cleaning medium proximate the inkjet print head, determining a pressure for a pressure roller to apply against the cleaning medium, contacting the cleaning medium with the pressure roller with the determined pressure, and moving the cleaning medium relative to the inkjet print head so as to clean the inkjet print head. The method also includes purging ink from the inkjet print head prior to the pressure roller contacting the cleaning medium and pre-jetting ink from the inkjet print head after moving the cleaning medium. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A cabinet for housing an ink supply is provided for use with an inkjet printing system. The cabinet, ink supply, and related structures are set apart from inkjet print heads in the inkjet printing system. Accordingly, the cabinet provides a location to store and supply quantities of ink and may make service and replacement of parts and/or consumables simpler and more accessible. The cabinet also houses components used to process and/or supply ink to inkjet print heads such as solvent, fluid delivery mechanisms (e.g., pumps, gas pressure devices, etc.), tubes, sensors, filters, exhaust, and drainage.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for an inkjet printing device is provided. The sensor apparatus may include 1) at least one print head adapted to deposit ink on a top surface of a substrate, wherein the substrate is in motion relative to the print head, 2) at least one sensor adapted to detect the distance of the at least one sensor from the top surface of the substrate, and 3) a controller adapted to determine the substrate to nozzle distance based on the distance of the sensor to the top surface of the substrate, and adjust the trajectory of the ink being deposited on the substrate based on the substrate to nozzle distance. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inkjet inkjet drop positioning are provided. A first method includes determining an intended deposition location of an ink drop on a substrate, depositing the ink drop on the substrate using an inkjet printing system, detecting a deposited location of the deposited ink drop on the substrate, comparing the deposited location to the intended location, determining a difference between the deposited location and the intended location, and compensating for the difference between the deposited location and the intended location by adjusting a parameter of an inkjet printing system. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: For use in a color filter inkjet printing system that may be part of a flat panel display manufacturing system, methods and apparatus for adjusting a pixel fill profile are provided. The methods include application of, and the apparatus are adapted to apply, pressurized gas to at least one ink-filled pixel well on a substrate having a plurality of pixel wells. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a pixel matrix. The methods include coating a substrate with a pixel matrix material, coating the pixel matrix material with an ink-phobic material, and forming pixel wells in the pixel matrix material and the ink-phobic material. A system for forming a pixel matrix is provided that includes a patterning tool including a laser ablation system operable to form pixel wells in pixel matrix material coated with ink-phobic material. The laser ablation system is operable to form pixel wells in pixel matrix material coated with ink-phobic material in an oxygenated environment so that the sidewalls of the pixel matrix are made to be ink-philic. The invention also includes a pixel well structure in which the top surfaces of the pixel well is ink-phobic and the surfaces of the sidewalls are ink-philic. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A substrate support assembly and method for dechucking a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a support assembly includes a substrate support having a support surface, a first set of lift pins and one or more other lift pins movably disposed through the substrate support. The first set of lift pins and the one or more lift pins project from the support surface when the pins are in an actuated position. When in the actuated position, the first set of lift pins project a longer distance from the support surface than the one or more other lift pins. In another aspect of the invention, a method for dechucking a substrate from a substrate support is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of projecting a first set of lift pins a first distance above a surface of a substrate support, and projecting a second set of lift pins a second distance above the surface of the substrate support that is less than the first distance.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems, and drivers for controlling an inkjet printing system and manufacturing display objects. The system may include a print controller including one or more drivers, at least one print head coupled to the drivers, a stage controller coupled to the print controller, one or more motors coupled to the stage controller, encoders coupled to the motors and the stage controller, and a host coupled to the stage controller and the print controller. The host is adapted to transfer pattern parameter data to the print controller, and the print controller is adapted to use the pattern parameter data to trigger the at least one print head to deposit ink into pixel wells on a substrate as the substrate is moved in a print direction by the at least one motor under the direction of the stage controller in response to a command from the host.

Abstract: A system for concurrent inkjet printing and defect inspection is provided. The system includes at least one print head adapted to deposit ink on a substrate, at least one imaging device adapted to scan the substrate, and a controller adapted to receive image data scanned by the imaging device during printing, determine if there are any printing defects on the substrate utilizing the processed image data, and transmit a control signal indicating a disposition of the substrate. The imaging device is adapted to scan the substrate during each print pass. Numerous other aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: Blue inks for displays are provided. In one aspect, the blue inks include one or more blue organic pigments, one or more monomers, one or more polymeric dispersants, and one or more organic solvents. In another aspect, the blue inks include one or more blue organic pigments, one or more violet pigments, one or more monomers, one or more polymeric dispersants, and one or more organic solvents. Methods of forming displays that include dispensing the blue inks by inkjetting onto a substrate and displays that include the blue inks are also provided.

Abstract: Red inks for displays are provided. In one aspect, the red inks include one or more red organic pigments, one or more monomers, one or more polymeric dispersants, and one or more organic solvents. In another aspect, the red inks include one or more red organic pigments, one or more yellow pigments, one or more monomers, one or more oligomers, one or more polymeric dispersants, and one or more organic solvents. Methods of forming displays that include dispensing the red inks by inkjetting onto a substrate and displays that include the red inks are also provided.

Abstract: Green inks for displays are provided. In one aspect, the green inks include one or more green organic pigments, one or more monomers, one or more polymeric dispersants, and one or more organic solvents. In another aspect, the green inks include one or more green organic pigments, one or more yellow pigments, one or more monomers, one or more oligomers, one or more polymeric dispersants, and one or more organic solvents. Methods of forming displays that include dispensing the green inks by inkjetting onto a substrate and displays that include the green inks are also provided.

Abstract: A substrate support assembly and method for dechucking a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a support assembly includes a substrate support having a support surface, a first set of lift pins and one or more other lift pins movably disposed through the substrate support. The first set of lift pins and the one or more lift pins project from the support surface when the pins are in an actuated position. When in the actuated position, the first set of lift pins project a longer distance from the support surface than the one or more other lift pins. In another aspect of the invention, a method for dechucking a substrate from a substrate support is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of projecting a first set of lift pins a first distance above a surface of a substrate support, and projecting a second set of lift pins a second distance above the surface of the substrate support that is less than the first distance.

Abstract: A plasma display panel including a low k dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the dielectric layer is comprises a fluorine-doped silicon oxide layer such as an SiOF layer. In another embodiment, the dielectric layer comprises a Black Diamond™ layer. In certain embodiments, a capping layer such as SiN or SiON is deposited over the dielectric layer.

Abstract: In a first aspect, an apparatus is provided for reducing an ink conglomerate during flat panel display manufacturing. The apparatus includes (1) an inkjet head adapted to dispense ink onto a substrate during inkjet printing; (2) an ink reservoir adapted to store ink for inkjet printing and supply the ink to the inkjet head; and (3) a conglomerate-reducing device adapted to break apart conglomerates in the ink before the ink reaches the inkjet head. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A substrate support and method for fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a substrate support includes an electrically conductive body having a substrate support surface that is covered by an electrically insulative coating. At least a portion of the coating centered on the substrate support surface has a surface finish of between about 80 to about 200 micro-inches. In another embodiment, a substrate support includes an anodized aluminum body having a surface finish on the portion of the body adapted to support a substrate thereon of between about 80 to about 200 micro-inches.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent device comprising an anode layer on a substrate, an organic layer on the anode layer, and a cathode layer on the organic layer. In one embodiment, the cathode layer is subjected to H2 plasma prior to deposition of a protective layer over the cathode. In another embodiment, the organic electroluminescent device is encapsulated with an inner encapsulation layer on the cathode layer, and an outer encapsulation layer on the inner encapsulation layer. The inner layer is optimized for adhesion to the cathode layer.

Abstract: A method for treating a glass substrate and a black matrix thereon for a flat panel display is provided. In one application, the treatment of the glass substrate and black matrix is performed prior to delivery of ink to the glass substrate by an inkjet printing system. The black matrix and glass substrate are exposed to a surface active compound. In one aspect, exposing the black matrix and the glass substrate to a surface active compound modifies the surface energy of the black matrix, the surface energy of the glass substrate, or both. In another aspect, treating the black matrix and the glass substrate enhances the formation of color filters having sub-pixel wells that have a substantially uniform distribution of ink therein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe an apparatus and a method for treating a substrate of flat panel display is provided. In one embodiment, an inkjet printing system for a substrate of flat panel display comprises a chemical compound application assembly that applies chemical compound(s) on the substrate of flat panel display, a stage that supports the substrate of flat panel display and a stage positioning system that moves the stage, and an inkjet printing module that dispenses inkjet on the substrate of flat panel display. In another embodiment, a processing system for a substrate of flat panel display comprises a chemical compound application assembly that applies chemical compound(s) on the substrate of flat panel display wherein the chemical compound application assembly has a chemical compound applicator whose width substantially spans the width of the substrate of flat panel display, and a stage that supports the substrate of flat panel display and a stage positioning system that moves the stage.