Conducting polymers in microelectronic devices

We report progress in the processing and application of poly(phenylene vinylene), PPV, as the emissive layers in electroluminescent diodes, LEDs. Photoluminescence efficiencies above 60% for solid films of PPV are now achieved, and single-layer EL diodes achieve luminous efficiencies above 2 Lumens/W and peak brightnesses up to 90,000 cd/m2. We demonstrate that PPV of this type can show stimulated emission in sub-picosecond pump-probe experiments, and can be used as the active lasing medium when incorporated in suitable microcavity structures.