Modification of polymer light emission by lateral microstructure

We report the use of wavelength-scale microstructure to control the intensi ty, spectrum and polarisation of light-emission from thin polymer films. It is shown that periodic corrugation of the emissive layer can substantially increase the efficiency of light-emission. Detailed photoluminescence (PL) studies of the angle dependence of the emission together with theoretical modelling show that the observed emission enhancement is associated with Br agg-scattering of waveguided light out of the polymer layer. The applicatio n of this approach to increase the efficiency of a light-emitting diode (LE D) is demonstrated. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.