GOALI: Mist-Deposition Based Manufacturing of Matrix Displays from Solution-Processed Semiconductor Quantum Dots

本项目旨在开发高性能量子点发光二极管(QD-LED)和QD-LED矩阵显示器的背景下，探索使用雾沉积工艺作为一种新的纳米制造技术来高效地沉积和图案化半导体纳米晶体量子点(NQD)超薄膜。通过对雾化沉积过程中纳米液滴的形成、充电、输运和合并过程的了解，研究控制发光NQD薄膜厚度、成分、表面形貌和均匀性的工艺参数，以建立NQD沉积方案。QD-LED器件的工艺将通过雾沉积工艺调整NQD有源层的厚度和形貌来优化。为了研究雾沉积技术在QD-LED工艺中的极限，将对LED的性能进行表征，并与工艺参数进行关联。将研究在雾沉积过程中使用顺序荫罩图案，以在大表面积上创建明亮的QD-LED的RGB像素阵列。这个项目的目标是开发一种通用的、高效的、可扩展的制造全彩、无源矩阵QD-LED显示器的技术。本研究项目将解决与QD-LED技术相关的两个基本且相互关联的问题：制造方法和器件。本研究中采用的协同方法将极大地扩展对纳米晶体量子点的加工和器件机理的理解。拟议项目的更广泛影响超出了纯粹的技术努力领域，与基于纳米晶体量子点的设备在日常生活中预期的未来角色有关。例如，柔性显示器等技术突破将对我们传输和接收信息的方式产生深远影响。由于纳米晶半导体加工工艺的改进，一系列新的应用将成为可能，这将创造新的相当大的市场，因此可能对国家经济产生显著影响。这项拟议的研究还将通过参与实验实验室工作为本科生提供有针对性的研究和学习经验，并帮助他们在基础纳米科学与纳米技术的现实应用之间架起桥梁。

This project aims to explore the use of mist-deposition process as a new nanomanufacturing technology for the efficient deposition and patterning of ultrathin films of semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) in the context of developing high-performance quantum dot light emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) and QD-LED matrix displays. The process variables that control the thickness, composition, surface morphology and uniformity of the emissive NQD film will be investigated in order to establish a NQD-deposition protocol through an understanding of the formation, charging, transport, and coalescence process of the nanoscale droplets in mist-deposition process. The processing of QD-LED devices will be optimized by tailoring the thickness and morphology of NQD-active layers with the mist-deposition process. The LED performance will be characterized and correlated to the process parameters in order to study the ultimate limits of the mist-deposition technology in QD-LED processing. The employment of sequential shadow-mask patterning in the mist-deposition process will be investigated to create RGB-pixel arrays of bright QD-LEDs over large surface areas. The target of this project will be the development of a versatile, efficient, and scalable technique for manufacturing of a full-color, passive matrix QD-LED display.This research project will address two fundamental, interrelated issues related to QD-LEDs technology: fabrication method and devices. The synergistic approach employed in this study will significantly expand the understanding of nanocrystalline quantum dots processing and device mechanism. The broader impacts of the proposed project go beyond the realm of a purely technical endeavor and are related to the anticipated future role of nanocrystalline quantum dots based devices in everyday life. For instance, technical breakthrough such as flexible displays will have a profound impact on the way we transmit and receive information. A range of new applications that will be made possible due to the improved processing of nanocrystalline semiconductors will create new sizeable markets, and hence, may have a noticeable impact of nation's economy. The proposed study will also provide focused research and learning experience to undergraduate students by involvement in experimental laboratory work, and help them to bridge the fundamental nanoscience with the real-world applications of nanotechnology.