Osram flexible OLED achieves luminous efficacy of 32 lumens/watt

　　Osram announces record-breaking R&D results for flexible OLED. Flexible OLED (flexible organic light-emitting diodes, FOLED) consists of an anode, a cathode prepared on a flexible substrate, and organic functional layers sandwiched between them, where at least one side's electrode is transparent in order to obtain a light-emitting surface. Currently, flexible display substrates mainly include polymer sheets, metal sheets, and ultra-thin glass, among others. The flexible OLED developed by Osram uses a steel substrate.

Osram's flexible OLED

　　The OLED design employs a top-emission approach, with light emitted through the top device, whereas in traditional rigid OLEDs light is emitted through the substrate; its highly reflective base is a thin steel foil (approximately 100 micrometers). Top-emitter designs have historically been a more challenging approach, capable of producing high-quality white light.

　　To ensure product consistency and scalability, OSRAM's measurement method for flexible OLED is to test an OLED sample with a defined set average brightness of 1000 cd/m² on a relatively large surface. Data is obtained from OLED integrating sphere measurements, without the need for any macroextractors such as lens assemblies to help boost light output.

　　OSRAM's technical lead Thomas Dobbertin stated: "Through this research result, we are able to prove that flexible OLED can already significantly exceed the efficiency of halogen lamps."

　　OSRAM has recently also opened its first OLED pilot production line in Regensburg, where OLED manufacturing costs are expected to be reduced by 90%.