Concurrent self-assembly of RGB microLEDs for next-generation displays

MicroLED displays have been in the spotlight as the next-generation displays owing to their various advantages, including long lifetime and high brightness compared with organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays. As a result, microLED technology(1,2) is being commercialized for large-screen displays such as digital signage and active R&D programmes are being carried out for other applications, such as augmented reality(3), flexible displays(4) and biological imaging(5). However, substantial obstacles in transfer technology, namely, high throughput, high yield and production scalability up to Generation 10+ (2,940 x 3,370 mm(2)) glass sizes, need to be overcome so that microLEDs can enter mainstream product markets and compete with liquid-crystal displays and OLED displays. Here we present a new transfer method based on fluidic self-assembly (FSA) technology, named magnetic-force-assisted dielectrophoretic self-assembly technology (MDSAT), which combines magnetic and dielectrophoresis (DEP) forces to achieve a simultaneous red, green and blue (RGB) LED transfer yield of 99.99% within 15 min. By embedding nickel, a ferromagnetic material, in the microLEDs, their movements were controlled by using magnets, and by applying localized DEP force centred around the receptor holes, these microLEDs were effectively captured and assembled in the receptor site. Furthermore, concurrent assembly of RGB LEDs were demonstrated through shape matching between microLEDs and receptors. Finally, a light-emitting panel was fabricated, showing damage-free transfer characteristics and uniform RGB electroluminescence emission, demonstrating our MDSAT method to be an excellent transfer technology candidate for high-volume production of mainstream commercial products.

Automated summary

MicroLED technology is being commercialized for large-screen displays and actively researched for other applications. However, there are obstacles in transfer technology that need to be overcome for microLEDs to enter mainstream markets. Researchers have developed a new transfer method using magnetic and dielectrophoresis forces, achieving a high transfer yield and demonstrating its potential for high-volume production.