Electrochromic, electroluminescent and electrochemiluminescent displays

Abstract

A display having an array of matrix addressable pairs of electrodes mounted face up on the same substrate. The pairs of electrodes are derivatized with either electrochromic materials or electroluminescent material to form the pixels of the display. In the electrochromic embodiment of the invention, a layer of a solid polymer electrolyte is included. The air of electrodes may also be left clean of derivatizing material, but with an electroluminescent substance dissolved in the solid polymer electrolyte. An electrochemiluminescent embodiment is also provided where the electrochemiluminescent substance can be dissolved in the solid polymer electrolyte. A method of patterning the electrolyte layer to form relatively non-conductive borders around each of the pairs by selective exposure of the electrolyte layer in the region of the border to electromagnetic radiation to cause permanent change in the chemical composition of the electrolyte so that the exposed border regions are rendered relatively non-conductive is also provided. An electrically reconfigurable photomask having an area comprised of an arrangement of electrochromic covered electrode pairs constituting pixels, the opacity and transmissivity of which may be controlled by application of an electrical bias to yield complete control over the transmissivity and opacity of each pixel of the areas, is also provided.