Patterns of electrically conducting polymers and their application as electrodes or electrical contacts

Abstract

Electronic devices having patterned electrically conductive polymers providing electrical connection thereto and methods of fabrication thereof are described. Liquid crystal display cells are described having at least one of the electrodes providing a bias across the liquid crystal material formed from a patterned electrically conductive polymer. Thin film transistors having patterned electrically conductive polymers as source drain and gate electrodes are described. Light emitting diodes having anode and coated regions formed from patterned electrically conductive polymers are described. Methods of patterning using a resist mask; patterning using a patterned metal layer; patterning the metal layer using a resist; and patterning the electrically conductive polymer directly to form electrodes and anode and cathode regions are described.

1 . A structure comprising: 
 an electronic device having an electronically active portion having a surface;    said surface has a dielectric layer having an opening therein exposing said electronically active portion;    said opening having a perimeter;    a layer of electrically conductive polymer disposed on said dielectric layer;    said layer of electrically conductive polymer electrically contacts said electronically active portion through said opening and overlapping said perimeter to be disposed on said dielectric layer.    
     
     
         2 . A structure according to  claim 1  wherein said electronic device has a plural opening in said dielectric layer, exposing a plurality of electronically active regions, said electrically conductive polymer electrically contacts said plurality of electronically active regions; said electrically conductive polymer has portions joining said contacts to said exposed plurality of electronically active regions.  
     
     
         3 . A structure according to  claim 1  wherein said layer of electrically conductive polymer is in a pattern.  
     
     
         4 . A structure according to  claim 1  wherein said electrically conductive material is selected from the group of one or more of substituted and unsubstituted polyparaphenylene vinylenes, polyparaphenylenes, polyanilines, polythiophenes, polyazines, polyfuranes, polypyrroles, polyselenophenes, poly-p-phenylene sulfides, polyacetylenes combinations thereof and blends thereto with other polymers and copolymers of the monomers thereof.  
     
     
         5 . A structure comprising: 
 a surface;    a layer of electrically conductive polymer disposed on said surface in a pattern;    at least one portion of said layer of electrically conductive polymer is in electrical contact with said surface;    other portions of said layer of electrically conductive polymer are not in electrical contact with said surface.    
     
     
         6 . A structure according to  claim 5  further including a dielectric material disposed between said other portions and said surface.  
     
     
         7 . A structure according to  claim 5  wherein said surface is selected from the group consisting of an electrical conductor and a semiconductor.  
     
     
         8 . A structure according to  claim 7  wherein said semiconductor is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of an organic material and an inorganic material.  
     
     
         9 . A structure according to  claim 7  wherein said electrical conductor is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal and a polymer  
     
     
         10 . A structure according to  claim 1  wherein said electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystal device, a transistor device and a light emitting device and a light absorbing device.  
     
     
         11 . A structure according to  claim 10  wherein said transistor is selected from the group consisting of a bipolar transistor and a field effect transistor.  
     
     
         12 . A structure according to  claim 10  wherein said light emitting device is a light emitting diode.  
     
     
         13 . A structure according to  claim 10  wherein said light absorbing device is a charge coupled device.  
     
     
         14 . A structure comprising: 
 an electrically conductive surface having a peripheral edge;    a layer of electrically conductive polymer having a peripheral edge;    said peripheral edge of said electrically conductive surface has regions that are not aligned to said peripheral edge of said layer of electrically conductive polymer.    
     
     
         15 - 112 . (canceled)  
     
     
         113 . A structure comprising: 
 an ohmic contact between an electrically conductive polymer and a semiconductor.    
     
     
         114 . A structure according to  claim 113  wherein said semiconductor is selected from the group consisting of an organic semiconductor and an inorganic semiconductor.  
     
     
         115 . A structure comprising: a low contact resistance electrical joint between a non-polymeric electrical conductor and an electrically conductive polymer.  
     
     
         116 - 122 . (canceled)  
     
     
         123 . A structure comprising: 
 a surface of a non-dielectric material;    a layer of a dielectric material having a first surface disposed on said surface of a non-dielectric material and having a second surface;    said layer of said dielectric material has an edge;    a layer or electrically conductive polymer disposed on said second surface and over said edge onto said surface of non-dielectric material.    
     
     
         124 - 131 . (canceled)  
     
     
         132 . A structure according to  claim 113  wherein electrically conductive polymer is selected from the group consisting of one or more of substituted and unsubstituted polyparaphenylene vinylenes, polyparaphenylenes, polyanilines, polythiophenes, polyazines, polyfuranes, polypyrroles, polyselenophenes, poly-p-phenylene sulfides, polyacetylenes combinations thereof and blends thereof with other polymers and copolymers of the monomers thereof.  
     
     
         133 . A structure according to  claim 113  wherein said semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of an organic and an inorganic material.  
     
     
         134 . A structure according to  claim 132  wherein said semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of an organic and an inorganic material.  
     
     
         135 . A structure according to  claim 115  wherein electrically conductive polymer is selected from the group consisting of one or more of substituted and unsubstituted polyparaphenylene vinylenes, polyparaphenylenes, polyanilines, polythiophenes, polyazines, polyfuranes, polypyrroles, polyselenophenes, poly-p-phenylene sulfides, polyacetylenes combinations thereof and blends thereof with other polymers and copolymers of the monomers thereof.  
     
     
         136 . A structure according to  claim 115  wherein said semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of an organic and an inorganic material.  
     
     
         137 . A structure according to  claim 135  wherein said semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of an organic and an inorganic material.  
     
     
         138 . A structure according to  claim 123  wherein electrically conductive polymer is selected from the group consisting of one or more of substituted and unsubstituted polyparaphenylene vinylenes, polyparaphenylenes, polyanilines, polythiophenes, polyazines, polyfuranes, polypyrroles, polyselenophenes, poly-p-phenylene sulfides, polyacetylenes combinations thereof and blends thereof with other polymers and copolymers of the monomers thereof.  
     
     
         139 . A structure according to  claim 123  wherein said surface of a non-dielectric material is a semiconductor material selected from the group consisting of an organic and an inorganic material.  
     
     
         140 . A structure according to  claim 138  wherein said semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of an organic and an inorganic material.