TFT (thin-film transistor) displays have become the dominant technology for a wide range of electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and TVs.TFT displayThe performance and quality of a TFT display depends greatly on the materials used in its construction and their application and integration in the display architecture. In this paper, we will look at the key materials used in TFT displays, their properties and advantages, and their application in different types of TFT displays.
Key materials used in TFT displays
TFT displays are constructed using a variety of key materials, including:
Glass substrate: Glass substrate is the base material for the deposition of thin-film transistors (TFTs) and other electronic components. It provides a stable and rigid platform for display architectures and protects against environmental factors such as moisture and dust.
Thin Film Transistors (TFTs): TFTs are the core component of a TFT display and are responsible for controlling the current flow to each pixel. They are typically made from semiconductor materials such as amorphous silicon (a-Si), low temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS), or organic semiconductors.
Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED): OLEDs are used in Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) displays to produce light and color. They consist of a bunch of organic layers that emit light when an electric current is passed through them. OLEDs offer a number of advantages over traditional light-emitting diodes (LEDs), including higher contrast, faster response times and better energy efficiency.
Capacitors: Capacitors are used in TFT displays to store charge and maintain voltage across each pixel. They can be made from a variety of materials, including metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structures, metal-oxide-metal (MOM) structures, and high-k dielectric materials.
Circuit Interconnects: Circuit interconnects are used to connect various electronic components within the display architecture, including TFTs, capacitors, and data drivers. They can be made from a variety of materials, including copper, aluminum and silver.
Application of key materials in different types of TFT displays
The application of key materials for TFT displays varies depending on the type of display technology used. Here are some examples:
a-Si TFT LCD Display: In an a-Si TFT LCD display, the TFT is usually made of amorphous silicon, while the pixel electrodes and common electrodes are made of indium tin oxide (ITO). The glass substrate is coated with a layer of silicon nitride (SiNx) to protect the TFT from moisture and oxygen. oLED layers are usually made from small molecules or polymers that emit blue light, while green and red oLED layers are deposited on top to produce a full-color image.
LTPS TFT LCD Display: In LTPS TFT LCD displays, the TFT is typically made of low-temperature polycrystalline silicon, which provides higher electron mobility and higher image quality than a-Si TFTs. The glass substrate is coated with a layer of silicon dioxide (SiO2) to provide a smooth surface for the LTPS layer to be deposited. the OLED layer is usually made of small molecules or polymers that emit blue or green light, while the red and green OLED layers are deposited on top to produce a full-color image.
AMOLED Display: In an AMOLED display, the TFT is typically made of an organic semiconductor, while the OLED layer is made of small molecules or polymers that emit red, green and blue light. The glass substrate is coated with a layer of transparent conductive oxide (TCO), such as ITO or zinc oxide (ZnO), to form an anode electrode. The cathode electrode is typically made of a reflective metal such as aluminum or silver.