Light-emitting device using voltage switchable dielectric material

Abstract

A voltage switchable dielectric material (VSD) material as part of a light-emitting component, including LEDs and OLEDs.

1 . A device comprising:
 an array of light-emitting components;   wherein each of the light-emitting components in the array emits light by carrying current between at least a first terminal and a second terminal;   a polymer composition having a characteristic of being (i) a dielectric in absence of a voltage that exceeds a characteristic voltage level of the polymer composition, and (ii) with application of the voltage exceeding the characteristic voltage level, switching into a conductive state for only a duration in which the voltage is present;   wherein the polymer composition is positioned, relative to one or more of the light-emitting components, to provide grounding for the one or more components against any transient voltage that exceeds the characteristic voltage level of the polymer composition.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the light-emitting components of the array is a diode. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the light-emitting components of the array is an organic light-emitting diode. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the light-emitting components of the array is formed from a semiconductor material. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the light-emitting components of the array each include a first lead extending from the first terminal, and a second lead extending from a second terminal, and wherein the polymer composition is positioned between and in contact with the first lead and the second lead. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate on which the array of light-emitting components is provided, and wherein the polymer composition is provided with the substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the light-emitting components of the array are formed from an organic polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer composition is provided to contact a first and/or a second terminal of one or more individual light-emitting components of the array. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer composition is provided to contact, for one or more individual light-emitting components of the array, a first lead extending from a first terminal, or a second lead extending from a second terminal. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each component of the array has a characteristic breakdown voltage, corresponding to a minimum voltage value that, when applied to that component, causes the component to fail, and wherein the characteristic voltage value of the polymer composition is less than the characteristic breakdown voltage.