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US5742322A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

AC thin film electroluminescent device

Assignee: Ultra Silicon Tech UK Ltd
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Filing: 1994-08-19
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Granted: 1998-04-21
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Expires: 2014-08-19
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Abstract

Abstract A thin film electroluminescent device, comprising a first electrode layer, first and second dielectric layers with an active phosphor layer disposed therebetween, and a second electrode layer, wherein there is provided within the phosphor layer at least one barrier layer comprising a thin layer of dielectric material. An array of such devices placed side to side is provided with a print head suitable for A4 electrographic printing.

Inventors

  • 👤 Wayne Cranton
  • 👤 Robert Stevens
  • 👤 Clive Thomas

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 01:13
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/447; B41J2/45; H; H05; H05B; H05B33/00; H05B33/12; H05B33/22

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 88 words
A thin film electroluminescent device consisting essentially of a first electrode layer, first and second dielectric layers with an active phosphor layer having a dielectric constant associated therewith disposed therebetween, and a second electrode layer, characterized in that there is provided within the phosphor layer at least one barrier layer that does not emit light, said barrier layer comprising a thin layer of insulating material having a dielectric constant greater than that of the phosphor layer, said barrier layer having a thickness of at least one hundred angstroms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 88 words
A thin film electroluminescent device consisting essentially of a first electrode layer, first and second dielectric layers with an active phosphor layer having a dielectric constant associated therewith disposed therebetween, and a second electrode layer, characterized in that there is provided within the phosphor layer at least one barrier layer that does not emit light, said barrier layer comprising a thin layer of insulating material having a dielectric constant greater than that of the phosphor layer, said barrier layer having a thickness of at least one hundred angstroms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein there is provided within the phosphor layer a single barrier layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein at least two barrier layers are provided within the phosphor layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 12 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the phosphor layer comprises ZnS:Mn.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 37 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the dielectric layers, including at least one barrier layer, are selected from the group consisting of ZnSe, SiN, Al 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 and combinations thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 14 words
A device according claim 1 wherein the device is disposed on a silicon substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 64 words
A thin film electroluminescent device according to claim 1 further comprising a number of said devices placed side by side on a substrate, said substrate having a plane, to form a row for use as a printing array and including a suitable solid low refractive index dielectric between each said device to provide waveguiding in a plane parallel to said plane of said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 22 words
An array according to claim 7 wherein said solid low refractive index dielectric defines sidewalls, said sidewalls having a degree of curvature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
An array according to claim 7 wherein the solid low refractive index dielectric comprises SiO 2 of SiN.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 36 words
A thin film electroluminescent device according to claim 1 further comprising a die said die supporting a group of individual thin film electroluminescent devices, and mounted upon a silicon substrate, said devices arranged end to end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 16 words
An electro-optic head according to claim 10 wherein said die is undercut to provide slanted ends.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 74 words
A thin film illuminescent device according to claim 1, further comprising: a means for applying an ac drive signal to a group of said devices; first and second electrode layers, said first electrode layer conveying said ac drive signal to said group of devices; said second electrode layer conveying an in-phase low voltage signal to said devices; and wherein said ac drive signal and said low voltage signal are sufficient to activate said devices.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

EP0466746A1 Cited
US4899184A Cited
US5025321A Cited
US5314759A Cited
US5258690A Cited
US5384517A Cited
US5432015A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-04-20 2001-10-20 2002-04-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-04-20 2005-10-20 2006-04-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-04-20 2009-10-20 2010-04-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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