The realization of efficient red, green, blue (RGB) light emission can
be achieved by covering a blue light emitter with color-converting dy
e/matrix layers. We present theoretical calculations and experimental
data of an electroluminescence device based on parahexaphenyl, an orga
nic semiconducting material, which emits bright blue light when used a
s an active layer in a thin film device. The waveguiding effects in th
e various layers making up the RGB device are investigated in order to
maximize the brightness, and optimize the angular light intensity dis
tribution of the external emitted light. Quantum efficiencies (QE) for
green color conversion of 48%, and red conversion of 13% from blue em
ission were determined by calculating over all emission angles and con
firmed by experimental QE measurements. The efficiency can be drastica
lly improved when the device layers are directly coupled to each other
by refractive index matching, where color-conversion efficiencies of
90% for blue to green and 80% for blue to red can be achieved. (C) 199
7 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(97)07520-8].