This work extends the kinds of organic materials that can form nano-lens arrays (NLAs). We have previously addressed fabrication of a N,N′-di(1naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl-(1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (NPB) NLA and explained the formation mechanism as NPB crystallization and the resulting increase in surface tension. Here, we report a Tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq 3 ) NLA fabricated by the same deposition method as a NPB NLA. Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering experiments indicate that the formation mechanism of the Alq 3 NLA is the same as that of the NPB NLA. Furthermore, this study broadens the application of NLAs from rigid to flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Here, flexible stainless steel-based devices using a low-temperature thermal release film, atomic layer deposition and NPB NLA processes are fabricated and characterized. With a NLA, current efficiency is increased 1.4 times, indicating that fab-compatible NLA technology is also available for flexible OLEDs.
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