Multilayer devices formed by multilayer thermal transfer

Abstract

A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device. Often, when the thermal transfer element includes a LTHC layer between the substrate and the transfer layer, the thermal transfer element can be illuminated with light according to the pattern and the light energy is converted to heat energy to selectively heat the thermal transfer element.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A device disposed on a receptor substrate, comprising: 
 a first active layer and a second active layer formed by transferring a multicomponent transfer unit from a thermal transfer element comprising the multicomponent transfer unit and a substrate.    
     
     
         2 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein the device is an organic electroluminescent device.  
     
     
         3 . The device of    claim 2   , wherein the first active layer is a light producing layer.  
     
     
         4 . The device of    claim 2   , wherein the first active layer comprises a light emitting polymer.  
     
     
         5 . The device of    claim 2   , wherein the first active layer comprises a small molecule emitter.  
     
     
         6 . The device of    claim 3   , wherein the second active layer is a charge conducting layer.  
     
     
         7 . The device of    claim 3   , wherein the second active layer is a charge semiconducting layer.  
     
     
         8 . The device of    claim 3   , wherein the second active layer is a charge producing layer.  
     
     
         9 . The device of    claim 3   , wherein the second active layer is a light producing layer.  
     
     
         10 . The device of    claim 2   , wherein the first active layer is a light emitting layer and the second active layer is a fluorescing or phosphorescing layer.  
     
     
         11 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein the device is an organic transistor, the first active layer is a charge conducting layer, and the second active layer is a charge semiconducting layer.  
     
     
         12 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein the device is an organic laser and the first active layer is a light producing layer.  
     
     
         13 . An optical display comprising a plurality of organic electroluminescent devices disposed on a receptor substrate, at least one of the organic electroluminescent devices comprising a first active layer and a second active layer formed by transferring a multicomponent transfer unit from a thermal transfer element comprising the multicomponent transfer unit and a substrate.