We used ultraviolet and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and (UPS) techniques to directly measure absolute values of vacuum work function of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films. We obtained a work function of 4.4–4.5 eV which is lower than the commonly cited value. These values do not change substantially by heating and Ar ion sputtering. The atomic concentrations of each element in ITO, measured with XPS, are also quite stable under heat treatment and ion sputtering.

Organic light emitting devices ͑OLEDs͒ have been the subject of intense research because of their potential for flat panel display and solid state lighting applications. While small molecule OLEDs with very high efficiencies have been demonstrated, solution processable devices are more desirable for large size flat panel display and solid state applications because they are compatible with low cost, large area roll-to-roll manufacturing process. In this review paper, we will present the recent progress made in solution processable OLEDs. The paper will be divided into three parts. In the first part of the paper, we will focus on the recent development of fluorescent polymer OLEDs based on conjugated polyfluorene copolymers. Specifically, we will present results of carrier transport and injection measurements, and discuss how the charge transport and injection properties affect the device performance. In the second part of the paper, we will focus on the recent progress on phosphorescent dye-dispersed nonconjugated polymer OLEDs. Specifically, we will present our recent results on high efficiency green and blue emitting devices based on the dye-dispersed polymer approach. Similar to fluorescent conjugated polymer OLEDs, charge transport and injection properties in dye-dispersed polymer OLEDs also play an important role in the device performance. In the third part of this paper, we will present our results on white emitting phosphorescent OLEDs. Two approaches have been used to demonstrate white emitting OLEDs. First, white emitting OLEDs were made using blue emitting OLEDs with downconversion phosphors. Second, white emitting OLEDs were made by dispersing red, green, and blue phosphorescent dyes into the light emitting layer. High efficiency devices have been demonstrated with both approaches.

A structure based on a bipolar transport/emitting layer is proposed and implemented for making organic light-emitting diodes. Compared to the conventional heterojunction organic light-emitting diodes, more than a factor of six improvement in device reliability (a projected operating lifetime of 70 000 h) is achieved in the structure. The significant improvement in device lifetime is attributed to the elimination of the heterointerface present in the conventional devices which greatly affects the device reliability.

We present a highly efficient white electroluminescence device by the combination of a solution processed blue organic phosphorescence light-emitting diode with appropriate down-conversion phosphor system. The use of this down-conversion system produced an extraordinary enhancement on device performance, resulting in a white electroluminescence device with luminance efficacy of 25lm∕W at luminance efficiency reaching 39cd∕A. The extraordinary enhancement on device performance is attributed to isotropic radiation pattern of the excited phosphor particles, leading to high light extraction properties.

X-ray and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy investigations reveal strong interactions between Ca and tris-(8-hydroxy quinoline) aluminum (Alq3) during the Ca/Alq3 interface formation. The details of the interaction depend on the direction of the interface formation. For the case of Ca deposited on Alq3, a staged interface reaction is observed. For low Ca coverages (ΘCa⩽4 Å), negatively charged Alq3 radical anions are formed by electron transfer from the Ca. The emergence of new states in the energy gap is observed in the UPS spectra. At higher coverages, the Ca reacts with the phenoxide oxygen resulting in the decomposition of the Alq3 molecule. On the other hand, for the case of Alq3 deposited on Ca, a strong chemical reaction takes place as soon as Alq3 is deposited, and Ca attacks every constituent of Alq3. Finally, no interaction occurs between Alq3 and the Ca substrate if the substrate has been passivated by oxygen prior to the Alq3 deposition.