The structure, device physics, and material properties of thin film electroluminescent displays

Thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) displays are complex optoelectronic devices with challenging material requirements. The multilayer device structure includes two electrodes (one metallic and one transparent), two insulators, and a semiconducting ‘phosphor’ layer. Each layer has unique electronic and optical properties that must be satisfied for device operation. In this article, we review the device structure, the electrical and optical device physics, and the material properties of TFEL displays. Particular attention is given to the phosphor layer properties and the radiative recombination phenomenon that is responsible for luminescence. The current status of the red, green, blue and white TFEL phosphors is also reviewed, and the current and future applications are discussed.