Rotogravure and pad printing of microstructures for electronic applications like oFETs

Within the last years many companies, universities and research labs worldwide have begun to work in the field of organic electronics. Materials which are electrically conductive, semi-conductive or insulating are available in fluid form and it is common sense that these materials can be used to form very cheap electronic devices by using the patterning techniques of the printing processes. In order to produce electronic circuits with acceptable performance it is necessary to print extremely fine Structures. Thus, the subject of the research work is to explore the limits of the printing processes in the region of microstructures for organic electronics. One of the most challenging examples of this printronic application is the printing of source-drain structures for organic Field Effect Transistors. (oFET). Rotogravure and Pad Printing are two closely related technologies which are capable to print high quality and fine lines. Both processes are well known for their reliable and stable printing process. Therefore they were chosen to investigate their potential for printing organic electronics. Gravure printing is a technology that is capable of printing high volumes in very good quality. Pad Printing is a related technology which is much easier to handle and findings from there can be transferred to other processes.