How an OLED Display Works? Learn with Diagram

An OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display is a type of display technology that utilizes organic compounds to emit light when an electric current is applied. Unlike LCD displays that require a backlight, OLED displays are self-emitting. Each pixel in an OLED display consists of organic materials that emit light when an electric current is passed through them. This means that individual pixels can be turned on or off independently, allowing for deeper blacks and better contrast compared to LCD displays. Although the working principle of the OLED display is a little bit more complex than other types of display technology. Don't worry! here we are going to understand it through a block diagram so it will be very easy to understand how an OLED display works.

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As per the above diagram, here is a simple explanation of how an OLED Display Works,

1. An OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display is made up of different layers, including an emissive layer, conductive layers, and a substrate layer. 
2. When an electric current flows through the OLED, it excites organic molecules in the emissive layer. 
3. Excited organic molecules release energy as light, a process called electroluminescence. 
4. Each pixel on the display contains tiny red, green, and blue sub-pixels that combine to create different colors. 
5. By controlling the intensity of the electric current, the display can make the pixels emit different colors and adjust overall brightness. 
6. The display quickly refreshes the pixels to create images or videos, ensuring smooth motion and preventing image retention.

So, in summary, an OLED display works by exciting organic molecules in the emissive layer with an electric current. The excited molecules emit light, which is combined from the red, green, and blue sub-pixels to create various colors. The display controls the current intensity to adjust brightness and quickly refreshes the pixels for smooth motion and to prevent image retention.

The key difference between LED (Light-Emitting Diode) and OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays is that LED displays use an array of individual LEDs as the light source. Each LED emits light when an electric current passes through it. On the other hand, OLED displays have organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied. Each pixel in an OLED display consists of organic materials that directly emit light, eliminating the need for a separate backlight.

OLED displays are commonly used in various electronic devices such as smartphones, televisions, smartwatches, and virtual reality headsets. OLED displays offer several advantages over other types of displays. They have wide viewing angles, excellent color reproduction, fast response times, vibrant colors, high contrast, and high contrast ratios. Additionally, OLED technology allows for flexible and curved displays, enabling unique form factors and designs. OLED displays have some limitations also, including potential burn-in or image retention issues, where static elements displayed on the screen for extended periods can leave a faint, ghost-like image. However, manufacturers implement technologies such as pixel shifting and screen savers to mitigate these concerns.

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