High display viewability provided by thin-film EL, black layer, and TFT drive

This laboratory has recently developed low-voltage thin-film electroluminescent (EL) emitters combining the brightness maintenance characteristics first reported by the Sharp Corporation in 1974 [1] with a new light-absorbing black layer, reminiscent of those introduced by Sigmatron [2],[3]. This combination, together with a new thin-film-EL active-matrix TFT switch configuration, has resulted in highly efficient high-ambient viewability. In addition, brief mention is made of a new approach to display addressing utilizing our newly developed thin-film bucket-brigade device [4].