Optically patternable polymer light-emitting device

Optically patternable polymer light-emitting devices with an indium-tin-oxi de/poly(2-methoxy-5-dodecyloxy-p-phenylene vinylene)/semitransparent-Al str ucture are fabricated and characterized. When the optical transmittance of the Al electrode is about 30% at a 500 nm wavelength, the emission from the device is rapidly reduced by photoirradiation in air, and the emission is completely suppressed after irradiation for 5 min. Considerable bleaching o f the optical absorption of the polymer film of the devices due to photoirr adiation is also observed. These effects originate from photooxidation of t he polymer by the atmospheric oxygen passing through the semitransparent-Al electrode. It is also shown that these effects are considerably moderated by using a thicker Al electrode, indicating the importance of the Al electr ode thickness on the patternability of the emission.