We investigated the optical properties of a dielectric-metal-dielectric multilayer for the transparent top cathode in top-emitting organic light emitting diodes (TOLEDs). The optical transmittance of the metal layer was enhanced by depositing a dielectric material which had a high refraction index n below and above the metal (Ag) layer. Due to multiple reflections and interferences, the Ag layer sandwiched between dielectric materials with a high value of n can show improved transmittance. Because the WO 3 had a high value of n (>2.0), a thin WO 3 layer could fulfill the optimum zero-reflection condition with an Ag metal layer. Thus, a WO 3 /Ag/WO 3 multilayer should have high transmittance with a low sheet resistance. The optimum thicknesses of both Ag and WO 3 to obtain the best transmittance value were determined by theoretical calculation, and they agreed well with the experimental results. The best results were obtained for the thermally evaporated WO 3 (300 Å)/Ag (120 Å)/WO 3 (300 Å) structure, a high transmittance of ∼93.5% and a low sheet resistance about ∼7.22 ohm/sq were obtained. When the top Al cathode was replaced with the WO 3 /Ag/WO 3 multilayer, the maximum luminance value (J = 220 mA/cm 2 ) increased from 8400 to 11700 cd/m 2 , and the power efficiency increased about 26%. To improve the electron injection efficiency at the cathode region, a 20-Å thick Al layer was introduced as an electron injection interlayer between the organic materials and the WO 3 /Ag/WO 3 cathode. Using the Al interlayer decreased the operation voltage at J = 10 mA/cm 2 by 6.9 V. Thus, a WO 3 /Ag/WO 3 with an Al interlayer could promote the transparency of the top cathode and lower the electron injection barrier, enhancing the electroluminescent properties of TOLED.

Graphene-based organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have recently emerged as a key element essential in next-generation displays and lighting, mainly due to their promise for highly flexible light sources. However, their efficiency has been, at best, similar to that of conventional, indium tin oxide-based counterparts. We here propose an ideal electrode structure based on a synergetic interplay of high-index TiO2 layers and low-index hole-injection layers sandwiching graphene electrodes, which results in an ideal situation where enhancement by cavity resonance is maximized yet loss to surface plasmon polariton is mitigated. The proposed approach leads to OLEDs exhibiting ultrahigh external quantum efficiency of 40.8 and 62.1% (64.7 and 103% with a half-ball lens) for single- and multi-junction devices, respectively. The OLEDs made on plastics with those electrodes are repeatedly bendable at a radius of 2.3 mm, partly due to the TiO2 layers withstanding flexural strain up to 4% via crack-deflection toughening.

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An industrial-grade polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrate is explored as a simple, cost-effective platform for high-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Its high refractive index, combined with the built-in scattering properties inherent to the industrial-grade version, allows for a significant enhancement in outcoupling without any extra structuring or special optical elements. Flexible, color-stable OLEDs with efficiency close to 100 lm W(-1) are demonstrated.