Organic Light‐Emitting Transistors: Advances and Perspectives

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2020-05, Vol.30 (20), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Chaudhry, Mujeeb Ullah, Muhieddine, Khalid, Wawrzinek, Robert, Sobus, Jan, Tandy, Kristen, Lo, Shih‐Chun, Namdas, Ebinazar B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Injection lasers; lasers; light‐emitting transistors; Materials science; OLEDs; Optoelectronics; Organic materials; organic semiconductors; Semiconductor devices; Transistors
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201905282

The rapid development of charge transporting and light‐emitting organic materials in the last decades has advanced device performance, highlighting the high potential of light‐emitting transistors (LETs). Demonstrated for the first time over 15 years ago, LETs have transformed from an optoelectronic curiosity to a serious competitor in the race for cheaper and more efficient displays, also showing promise for injection lasers. Thus, what is an LET, how does it work, and what are the current challenges for its integration into mainstream technologies? Herein, some light is shed on these questions. This work also provides the fundamental working principle of LETs, materials that have been used, and device physics and architectures involved in the progression of LET technology. The state‐of‐the‐art development of LETs is also explored as prospect avenues for the future of research and applications in this area. Light emitting transistors (LETs) are multifunctional devices that combine the switching abilities of a transistor with the emissive properties of a light‐emitting diode. Herein, the state‐of‐the‐art development of LETs and their prospective for potential applications in transparent displays and organic injection lasers are presented.