Core tip: Samsung Display has shown interest in OLED panel production technology that does not require the use of masks. A Samsung executive recently visited the U.S. headquarters of its device supplier, Applied Materials, to discuss JDI's eLEAP technology, which could be ideal for future Apple devices.
Samsung Display has shown interest in OLED panel production technology that does not require the use of masks. A Samsung executive recently visited the U.S. headquarters of its device supplier, Applied Materials, to discuss JDI's eLEAP technology, which could be ideal for future Apple devices.
Relying on the design and process technology accumulated by JDI over the years, eLEAP solves the problems of aging and short lifespan of traditional FMM OLEDs, and achieves higher aperture ratio, higher peak brightness and higher resolution, while maintaining traditional FMM OLEDs. characteristics. According to JDI documents discovered by Apple, eLEAP has advantages in thinness, light weight, high contrast and fast response time. This could be an OLED upgrade for future Apple devices.
In addition, the FMM method uses a metal mask, which makes it difficult to achieve a special-shaped design (free shape), a high definition of 800ppi or more, and an increase in the size of the display screen. eLEAP will make all these possible. Using the FMM method to produce OLED, the size of the glass substrate has reached the limit of the sixth generation (about 1500×1850mm), and eLEAP can be deployed on the substrate production line above the eighth generation (about 2200×2500mm).
According to a supply chain report by TheElec, Samsung Display and other OLED panel makers currently use fine metal masks (FMMs) to deposit red, green and blue organic materials in vapor form on substrates.
These masks are difficult to manufacture, and their quality determines the yield of OLED panels, which is the case with Gen 6 (1500x1850mm) OLED panels. Japan's Dai Nippon Printing is a major supplier of FMM.
The quality of the FMM will determine the output of Samsung's 8th generation (2200x2500mm) OLED panels in the future. If there's a more convenient way to make OLED panels that don't require FMM, there's no reason Korean display panel makers shouldn't adopt it.
However, JDI is a competitor of Samsung Display, which may be why Samsung Display indirectly asked Applied Materials for eLEAP, which supplies the Japanese company with deposition machines.
Sources say that there are currently multiple views on eLEAP within Samsung Display: some want to be open to the technology, while others want to prevent its rivals from commercializing the technology.
If Apple's display team wants to use this display technology in the future, Samsung and LG Display will have to meet Apple's needs.
