Abstract: A method for vaporizing organic materials onto a substrate surface to form a film including providing a quantity of organic material into a vaporization apparatus and actively maintaining the organic material in a first heating region in the vaporization apparatus to be below the vaporization temperature. The method also includes heating a second heating region of the vaporization apparatus above the vaporization temperature of the organic material and metering, at a controlled rate, organic material from the first heating region into the second heating region so that a thin cross section of the organic material is heated at a desired rate-dependent vaporization temperature, whereby organic material vaporizes and forms a film on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method for evaporating a plurality of purified organic materials in a thermal physical vapor deposition system, comprising the steps of: mixing predetermined amounts of first and second organic materials to form a mixture of materials at a predetermined ratio; processing at least one of the organic materials at less than the sublimation temperature of the at least one of the organic materials before or after mixing to remove a first contaminant, wherein if processing is after mixing, the processing temperature is lower than the sublimation temperature of each of the organic materials; providing a thermal physical vapor deposition source; transferring the purified mixture of organic materials into the thermal physical vapor deposition source while maintaining the purified mixture of organic materials in a controlled, contaminant-free environment; and using the source to evaporate the purified mixture of organic materials.

Abstract: A vapor deposition source for depositing organic material includes a boat having a cavity for holding organic material and an aperture plate, having a plurality of spaced apertures, for enclosing the boat. The vapor deposition source also includes a heating element provided in the cavity between the aperture plate and the organic material, and a baffle member in contact with the heating element and having at least three surfaces which absorb energy from the heating element, the first surface redirecting energy to the aperture plate and the second and third surfaces redirecting energy to the boat walls and the organic material.

Abstract: A method of providing a customized one time use vapor deposition source to a user includes a supplier receiving an order from the user; the supplier providing the one time use vapor deposition source to the user, wherein the one time use vapor deposition source includes at least a boat containing the organic material, a heating element, and an aperture plate; and the supplier receiving payment for the one time use vapor deposition source.

Abstract: A container for vaporizing a solid material includes a housing having side walls, a bottom wall, and a cover enclosing an interior volume. The cover includes at least one aperture to permit egress of vapor efflux from the housing. A heater heats at least a portion of the housing to vaporize the solid material. A baffle disposed between the cover and the solid material prevents a direct line of sight between the solid material and the aperture(s) and is spaced from the cover to control the flow of vaporized material into a region between the baffle and the cover to promote uniformity of vapor efflux from the aperture(s). The ratio of the interior volume to a volume of the region between the baffle and the cover is at least approximately 20:1. The solid material can be an organic material used to form a layer of an organic light-emitting device.

Abstract: A method for vaporizing organic materials onto a surface, to form a film includes providing a quantity of organic material in a fluidized powdered form; metering the powdered organic material and directing a stream of such fluidized powder onto a first member; heating the first member so that as the stream of fluidized powder is vaporized; collecting the vaporized organic material in a manifold; and providing a second member formed with at least one aperture in communication with the manifold that permits the vaporized organic material to be directed onto the surface to form a film.

Abstract: A vapor deposition source for use in vacuum chamber for coating an organic layer on a substrate of an OLED device, includes a manifold including side and bottom walls defining a chamber for receiving organic material, and an aperture plate disposed between the side walls, the aperture plate having a plurality of spaced apart apertures for emitting vaporized organic material; the aperture plate including conductive material which in response to an electrical current produces heat; means for heating the organic material to a temperature which causes its vaporization, and heating the side walls of the manifold; and an electrical insulator coupling the aperture plate to the side walls for concentrating heat in the unsupported region of the aperture plate adjacent to the apertures, whereby the distance between the aperture plate and the substrate can be reduced to provide high coating thickness uniformity on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for vaporizing organic materials onto a substrate surface to form a film including providing a quantity of organic material into a vaporization apparatus and actively maintaining the organic material in a first heating region in the vaporization apparatus to be below the vaporization temperature. The method also includes heating a second heating region of the vaporization apparatus above the vaporization temperature of the organic material and metering, at a controlled rate, organic material from the first heating region into the second heating region so that a thin cross section of the organic material is heated at a desired rate-dependent vaporization temperature, whereby organic material vaporizes and forms a film on the substrate surface.