USDC Funds R&D Program
to Enable Web-based Manufacture of Large-Area OLED Displays
Follow-on Contract Awarded to Kurt
J. Lesker Company for Development of a Linear Organic Materials
Deposition Source Module
- The U.S. Display Consortium (USDC), a public/private partnership chartered with developing the industry infrastructure needed for next-generation flat panel displays (FPDs), today announced it has awarded a follow-on R&D contract to Clairton, Pa.-based Kurt J. Lesker Company (KJLC), an international manufacturer and distributor of vacuum products and systems. Under the terms of the new contract-the latest in a series of USDC contracts aimed at bringing roll-to-roll, or web-based, manufacturing of lightweight, flexible displays and microelectronic backplanes to the market-KJLC will explore the development of a linear organic deposition source module needed to manufacture large-area (600 mm, or 24-inches.) organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays.
The 18-month development project, with an estimated cost of $600,000, will be shared equally between the USDC and KJLC. This contract, the second to be awarded to KJLC within the last 3 years, attests to USDC's confidence in the company's linear organic materials source for deposition of small-molecule OLED materials onto plastic film substrates.
OLED manufacturers are working to enable the web-based manufacture of displays on plastic substrates. Web-based processing in which devices can be created on a continuous roll, or web, of flexible material will offer the potential for significantly decreasing overall manufacturing costs. The net result: more affordable, versatile displays that are extremely robust and lighter weight than any other currently available display technology. This will give OLEDs a competitive market advantage over other technology options, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
Despite the strong market potential of OLEDs, manufacturers need to first overcome several processing hurdles associated with producing large-area OLED displays on web substrates. Specifically, small-molecule OLED technology requires an evaporation source for the deposition of OLED materials onto a substrate. While KJLC has been successful in developing a linear evaporation source design that could meet the uniformity and rate-of-deposition targets at 300 mm width substrates, such a design becomes increasingly critical when transitioning to larger-width dimensions. Specifically, at the more volume production suitable size of 600 mm, uniform deposition of these base and dopants materials poses formidable challenges-both across the dimension of a wide web, as well as along the length of the roll.
"We are pleased to receive this additional funding from USDC, as it signals their vote of confidence in our linear deposition source technology," noted Kurt J. Lesker III, president of KJLC. "We look forward to continuing our work with USDC to make web-based manufacturing of large-area OLEDs a reality."
Commenting on the contract, Dr. M. Robert Pinnel, USDC's chief technical officer, noted, "USDC selected KJLC for follow-on funding based on the company's demonstrated success in developing a linear evaporation source for the production of 300mm OLEDs. This additional funding will provide one aspect of the capability enhancements required to take the industry to the next level in its quest to commercialize larger diagonal, flexible displays through revolutionary processing methods."
Today's announcement follows on another USDC contract designed to enable web-based processing of flexible displays. In February 2003, USDC awarded a $3 million contract to CHA Industries to design and build a new web-coating deposition tool. Initially planned for sputter deposition of films in the fabrication of polysilicon thin-film-transistor (TFT) backplanes, this tool will also be fitted with KJLC's linear organic materials deposition source module for the deposition of small-molecule OLED materials onto plastic film substrates.
"Pennsylvania is taking the lead in a variety of exciting new technologies, such as flat panel displays. Congratulations are extended to KJLC for receiving a second contract award from the U.S. Display Consortium," stated Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA).
"I'm proud the 18th District is playing such a vital role in advancing these new technologies. This contract is an important boost to the economy of Southwest Pennsylvania. Congratulations to the employees of the Kurt J. Lesker Company," noted Representative Tim Murphy (R-PA).
For more information, please contact:
US Display Consortium
Heidi Hoffman
84 W. Santa Clara Street, Ste. 790
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 993-8111
heidi@usdc.org
About the U.S. Display Consortium
The U.S. Display Consortium is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display and flexible microelectronics manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and the financial communities for display issues; sponsors workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of displays in providing access to information technology. More information about the USDC can be found at www.usdc.org
Founded in 1954, the Kurt J. Lesker Company is a dynamic, growing manufacturer and distributor to production and R&D facilities worldwide, where vacuum is used as a processing environment. Products which use this technology include: semiconductors; food wrapping and packaging films; television picture tubes, computer monitors and flat panel displays; cassette and video tapes; CDs, optical, and magnetic storage devices; lenses, mirrors, and architectural glass; household fixtures and gas lasers. The U.S. headquarters in Clairton is the principle sales, manufacturing, systems assembly and distribution facility. An additional warehouse and sales office operates in Livermore, Calif. Internationally, the company has sales and warehousing in Toronto, Canada and in Budapest, Hungary. The European headquarters, located in Hastings, U.K. is a complete sales, manufacturing, systems assembly, and distribution facility. Additional information about KJLC products and services can be accessed by visiting the company website at www.lesker.com
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