Interference phenomenon determines the color in an organic light emitting diode

We report on electroluminescence from two-layer organic diodes made of poly(3-methyl-4-octylthiophene) and 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole films between electrodes of indium tin oxide and Ca/Al. The diodes emitted light in the green-blue range; the electroluminescence spectra varied between diodes with different thicknesses of the polymer and molecular layers. The optical phenomena were simulated with a model accounting for interference effects; simulated results showed that the electroluminescence from the organic diode can be due neither to luminescence of the polymer nor of the molecular layer. These model simulations, together with electrochemical measurements, can be interpreted as evidence for an indirect optical transition at the polymer/molecule interface that only occurs in a strong electric field. We label this transition an electroplex. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.