Super-high-resolution transfer printing for full-color OLED display patterning

Hongzheng Jin (SID Student Member) James C. Sturm Abstract — A transfer-printing method for the patterning of thin polymer layers is described. A hard stamp with a raised feature is brought into contact with a spin-coated organic film under elevated pressure and temperature to break the films. The patterned film is then transfer printed onto the devices. This method is used to print red/green/blue subpixel arrays with a pattern size as small as 12 μm at a resolution of 530 ppi to demonstrate its ability for full-color organic light-emitting-display fabrication. Devices with printed organic layers have similar performance to spin-coated controls under optimized printing temperature and pressure settings. The critical physical parameters include a soft intermediate plate for the sharp breaking of edge patterns, control of surface energies, and printing at moderate temperature and pressure to achieve intimate contact between the printed layer and the underlying substrate.