Abstract: Electroluminescent (EL) devices structures are provided comprising a hot electron stopper layer structure to capture hot electrons and dissipate their energy, thereby reducing damage to the transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer and reducing other hot electron effects, such as charging effects, which impact reliability of EL device structures. The stopper layer structure may comprise a single layer or multiple layers provided between the TCO electrode layer and the emitter structure, and may also function to reduce diffusion or chemical interactions between the TCO and the emitter layer structure. Optionally, stopper layers may also be provided within the emitter structure. Suitable stopper layer materials are wideband gap semiconductors or dielectrics, preferably transparent at wavelengths emitted by the EL device characterized by high impact ionization rates, and/or high relative permittivity relative to adjacent layers of the emitter structure.

Abstract: A novel laminate is provided to improve the operating stability of thioaluminate based phosphors used in ac thick film dielectric electroluminescent displays. The novel structure comprises a rare earth activated alkaline earth thioaluminate phosphor thin film layer and a magnesium oxide or magnesium oxide containing layer provided directly adjacent and in contact with the bottom of the phosphor thin film layer. The invention is particularly applicable to phosphors used in electroluminescent displays that employ thick dielectric layers subject to high processing temperatures to form and activate the phosphor films.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the deposition of a thin film of a pre-determined composition onto a substrate, the thin film comprising ternary, quaternary or higher sulfide compounds selected from the group consisting of thioaluminates, thiogallates and thioindates of at least one element from Groups IIA and IIB of the Periodic Table. The method comprises volatizing at least one source material of a sulfide of a pre-determined composition to form a sulfur-bearing thin film composition on a substrate and simultaneously inhibiting any excess quantity of sulfur-bearing species volatilized from the at least one source material from impinging on the substrate. The method improves the luminance and emission spectrum of phosphor materials used for full color ac electroluminescent displays employing thick film dielectric layers with a high dielectric constant.

Abstract: A novel laminate is provided to improve the operating stability of thioaluminate based phosphors used in ac thick film dielectric electroluminescent displays. The novel structure comprises a rare earth activated alkaline earth thioaluminate phosphor thin film layer and an aluminum oxide or aluminum oxynitride layer provided directly adjacent and in contact with the bottom of the phosphor thin film layer. The invention is particularly applicable to phosphors used in electroluminescent displays that employ thick dielectric layers subject to high processing temperatures to form and activate the phosphor films.

Abstract: The invention is a method of vacuum evaporation of a multi-element sulfur bearing thin film compositions onto a substrate. The method comprises targeting a source of gas or vapour sulfur species at one or more source materials that make up at least part of the thin film composition during evaporation of the source materials. The sulfur species is heated to a high temperature as it reaches the one or more source materials and there is a chemical interaction of the sulfur species with evaporant from the one or more source materials during deposition of said thin film composition. The method is particularly useful for the deposition of phosphors for full colour ac electroluminescent displays employing thick film dielectric layers with a high dielectric constant.

Abstract: Electroluminescent (EL) devices structures are provided comprising a hot electron stopper layer structure to capture hot electrons and dissipate their energy, thereby reducing damage to the transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer and reducing other hot electron effects, such as charging effects, which impact reliability of EL device structures. The stopper layer structure may comprise a single layer or multiple layers provided between the TCO electrode layer and the emitter structure, and may also function to reduce diffusion or chemical interactions between the TCO and the emitter layer structure. Optionally, stopper layers may also be provided within the emitter structure. Suitable stopper layer materials are wideband gap semiconductors or dielectrics, preferably transparent at wavelengths emitted by the EL device characterized by high impact ionization rates, and/or high relative permittivity relative to adjacent layers of the emitter structure.

Abstract: A novel laminate is provided to improve the operating stability of thioaluminate based phosphors used in ac thick film dielectric electroluminescent displays. The novel structure comprises a rare earth activated alkaline earth thioaluminate phosphor thin film layer and a magnesium oxide or magnesium oxide containing layer provided directly adjacent and in contact with the bottom of the phosphor thin film layer. The invention is particularly applicable to phosphors used in electroluminescent displays that employ thick dielectric layers subject to high processing temperatures to form and activate the phosphor films.

Abstract: A novel laminate is provided to improve the operating stability of thioaluminate based phosphors used in ac thick film dielectric electroluminescent displays. The novel structure comprises a rare earth activated alkaline earth thioaluminate phosphor thin film layer and an aluminum oxide or aluminum oxynitride layer provided directly adjacent and in contact with the bottom of the phosphor thin film layer. The invention is particularly applicable to phosphors used in electroluminescent displays that employ thick dielectric layers subject to high processing temperatures to form and activate the phosphor films.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the deposition of a thin film of a pre-determined composition onto a substrate, the thin film comprising ternary, quaternary or higher sulfide compounds selected from the group consisting of thioaluminates, thiogallates and thioindates of at least one element from Groups IIA and IIB of the Periodic Table. The method comprises volatizing at least one source material of a sulfide of a pre-determined composition to form a sulfur-bearing thin film composition on a substrate and simultaneously inhibiting any excess quantity of sulfur-bearing species volatilized from the at least one source material from impinging on the substrate. The method improves the luminance and emission spectrum of phosphor materials used for full colour ac electroluminescent displays employing thick film dielectric layers with a high dielectric constant.

Abstract: The invention is a method of vacuum evaporation of a multi-element sulfur bearing thin film compositions onto a substrate. The method comprises targeting a source of gas or vapour sulfur species at one or more source materials that make up at least part of the thin film composition during evaporation of the source materials. The sulfur species is heated to a high temperature as it reaches the one or more source materials and there is a chemical interaction of the sulfur species with evaporant from the one or more source materials during deposition of said thin film composition. The method is particularly useful for the deposition of phosphors for full colour ac electroluminescent displays employing thick film dielectric layers with a high dielectric constant.

Abstract: The performance and stability of thick film electroluminescent displays is enhanced by a non-porous layer inserted between the thick film dielectric layer and thin film phosphor structures in these displays. The inserted layer facilitates increased luminance, increased energy efficiency and improved operating stability.

Abstract: The performance and stability of thick film electroluminescent displays is enhanced by a non-porous layer inserted between the thick film dielectric layer and thin film phosphor structures in these displays. The inserted layer facilitates increased luminance, increased energy efficiency and improved operating stability.