Flexible polymer light emitting devices using polymer-reinforced ultrathin glass

High-quality low-temperature indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were deposited on polymer-reinforced ultrathin glass for flexible polymer light emitting devices (PLEDs). For a 130-nm thick ITO film, a sheet resistance of 25 Ω/sq was obtained when it was prepared at a hydrogen partial pressure of 2.6×10−3 Pa. The transmittance of ITO film was above 85% over the visible spectrum. A maximum electroluminescent (EL) efficiency of 5.1 cd/A for the flexible PLEDs at an operating voltage of 5 V was obtained. The bending properties of ultrathin glass with a reinforcement polymer layer were investigated. The minimum-bending radius of reinforced glass was calculated. The improvement in the flexibility of ultrathin glass sheet due to the polymer reinforcement was clearly demonstrated.