Large Scale Pilot Fabrication System for OLEDs and Organic Solar Cells

The pilot fabrication system consists of clusters combining thermal evaporation and organic vapor phase deposition (OVPD®) modules. The usable substrate size is 370 x 470 mm² on glass substrates and foils. The targeted tact time is three minutes, resulting in an annual capacity of approximately 13,000 m². The system is designed for efficient materials usage and flexibility in substrate format and organic stack. It is one of the worlds first pilot production systems for OLED lighting and organic based solar cells.

"The order of the system is a key milestone for our future activities. It allows us to develop novel organic based lighting solutions within a pilot production scale surrounding." says Joerg Amelung, business unit manager at the Fraunhofer IPMS.

The order of the fabrication system is the first step to establish COMEDD at the Fraunhofer IPMS. To speed up the time to market for OLED lighting, organic solar cells and OLED-on-CMOS-devices, the Fraunhofer IPMS is building three pilot production lines. Germany's state and federal government, as well the EU, are investing €25 million into COMEDD to establish the leading European institution for R&D and pilot production of small-molecule organic devices.

"The OLED lighting and organic photovoltaic industries will only work if we manufacture here in Europe, not just do design and research. The center wants to be the key partner for the European industry to develop fabrication-related processes up to a pilot fabrication level. Only such advanced tools allow to reach the R&D level we need here to support the necessary development." says Prof. Karl Leo, director of the Fraunhofer IPMS.

For the tool suppliers, the order is as well an important step to achieve future business market segments.

"The order of our tool is for us an important step to OLED lighting fabrication machine market." says Dr. Hoon Lim, CEO of Sunic Systems.

"The integration of an OVPD® module is a milestone for our business to integrate next generation fabrication technology into new market segments." notes Dr. Bernd Schulte, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at AIXTRON AG.