Optical and Photonic Applications of Electroactive and Conducting Polymers.

Abstract : Symmetrically configured AC light emitting (SCALE) devices based on conjugated polymers utilizing indium tin oxide (ITO) and aluminum as electrodes have been demonstrated recently. Here we report the fabrication of SCALE devices using a more stable high work function metal, such as gold, as a charge (both electron and hole) injection electrode. Also, a variation of such devices in which the electroluminescent polymer, instead of being separated from the insulating polymer, is dispersed in the insulating polymer to form a unified emitter insulator, is reported. These devices emit light in both forward and reverse DC bias with symmetric current voltage characteristics. Under low frequency AC (sinusoidal) driving voltage, light pulses with double the driving frequency are observed. A model is proposed to account for the device operation.