Conducting film or electrode with improved optical and electrical performance

Abstract

A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.

1 . A transparent or semitransparent conducting film, comprising layers arranged in the following order:
 a first transparent or semitransparent conductive layer;   a second transparent or semitransparent conductive layer;   a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer located between the first and second conductive layers; and   a substrate,   wherein the intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers.   
   
   
       2 . The conducting film of  claim 1 , wherein the thicknesses and optical indexes of refraction of the first and second conductive layers and the intervening layer are selected to provide a particular amount of reduction in optical reflectivity in a device incorporating the electrode. 
   
   
       3 . The conducting film of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second conductive layers each comprise a transparent or semitransparent conductive oxide. 
   
   
       4 . The conducting film of  claim 1 , wherein the intervening layer comprises a dielectric polymer material or an inorganic dielectric material. 
   
   
       5 . The conducting film of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
   
   
       6 . The conducting film of  claim 1 , wherein the intervening layer comprises a conductive layer having an index of refraction different from the indexes of refraction of the first and second conductive layers. 
   
   
       7 . The conducting film of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive pathways comprise conductive links extending through apertures between the first and second conductive layers. 
   
   
       8 . The conducting film of  claim 1 , wherein the intervening layer comprises a binder and wherein the electrically conductive pathways comprise conductive particles suspended in the binder and extending between the first and second conductive layers. 
   
   
       9 . The conducting film of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating layer located on the first conductive layer on a side opposite the intervening layer. 
   
   
       10 . The conducting film of  claim 1 , further comprising a third transparent or semitransparent conductive layer and another transparent or semitransparent intervening layer located between the first conductive layer and the third conductive layer. 
   
   
       11 . The conducting film of  claim 1 , wherein the film comprises an electrode. 
   
   
       12 . A display device, comprising layers arranged in the following order:
 a first substrate;   a first electrode;   a display material;   a second electrode; and   a second substrate,   wherein the first and second electrodes each comprise:
 a first transparent or semitransparent conductive layer; 
 a second transparent or semitransparent conductive layer; and 
 a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer located between the first and second conductive layers, 
 wherein the intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers. 
   
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a black absorber located adjacent the second substrate on a side opposite the second electrode. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second conductive layers each comprise a transparent or semitransparent conductive oxide. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the intervening layer comprises a dielectric polymer material or an inorganic dielectric material. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the intervening layer comprises a conductive layer having an index of refraction different from the indexes of refraction of the first and second conductive layers. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the electrically conductive pathways comprise conductive links extending through apertures between the first and second conductive layers. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the intervening layer comprises a binder and wherein the electrically conductive pathways comprise conductive particles suspended in the binder and extending between the first and second conductive layers. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising an insulating layer located between the first conductive layer and the display material. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the display material comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal material. 
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein a thickness of the first conductive layer is substantially identical to a thickness of the second conductive layer.