Surface Plasmon Enhanced Light Emission from Organic Light Emitters

Citation

Neal, Terrell Demetris (2006) Surface Plasmon Enhanced Light Emission from Organic Light Emitters. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/DH6C-2C59. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-09222006-151349

Abstract

We have experimentally verified that visible light emission for various organic light emitters can be enhanced through the use of surface plasmon coupling layers. By matching the plasmon frequency of a thin unpatterned silver film to the emission of a dye-doped polymer deposited onto this metal surface, we have observed an 11-fold enhancement of light emission. By patterning the silver layer, we estimate that the plasmon frequency can be tuned to match dye-doped polymer emission frequencies, and even larger emission enhancements as well as extraction efficiencies are expected. Carrier dynamics of such plasmon-enhanced organic light emitters were studied and a recombination rate increase due to surface plasmon polaritons was experimentally observed. Internal quantum efficiency data from the polyfluorenes studied follow the trend supported by the time-resolved photoluminescence measurements. Also, we have presented a way to extend the lifetime of organic light emitters by reducing the photodegredation effects from photo-oxidation using surface plasmon coupling.

Thesis Files