阅读说明：本技术 显示设备 (Display device ) 是由 李炫旭 李太熙 李宗璨 郑雄喜 于 2021-04-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了显示设备,该显示设备包括：第一电极,设置在衬底上；第二电极,设置在衬底上并且与第一电极间隔开；至少一个发光元件,在一方向上延伸,至少一个发光元件设置在第一电极和第二电极之间并且电连接到第一电极和第二电极；以及绝缘图案层,设置在第一电极和第二电极上,绝缘图案层包括设置在至少一个发光元件的至少一部分上的固定部和围绕至少一个发光元件的屏障部。(Disclosed is a display device including: a first electrode disposed on the substrate; a second electrode disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from the first electrode; at least one light emitting element extending in a direction, the at least one light emitting element being disposed between and electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode; and an insulating pattern layer disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode, the insulating pattern layer including a fixing portion disposed on at least a portion of the at least one light emitting element and a barrier portion surrounding the at least one light emitting element.)

1. A display device, comprising:

a first electrode disposed on the substrate;

a second electrode disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from the first electrode;

at least one light emitting element extending in a direction, the at least one light emitting element being disposed between and electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode; and

an insulating pattern layer disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode, the insulating pattern layer including:

a fixing portion disposed on at least a portion of the at least one light emitting element; and

a barrier portion surrounding the at least one light emitting element.

2. The display device according to claim 1,

the fixing portion and the barrier portion are integral with each other, an

The securing portion extends across the barrier portion.

3. The display device according to claim 2,

the insulating pattern layer includes a hole surrounded by the fixing portion and the barrier portion, an

The aperture includes:

a first hole exposing a first end of the at least one light emitting element; and

a second aperture spaced apart from the first aperture and exposing a second end of the at least one light emitting element.

4. The display device of claim 3, further comprising:

a first contact electrode disposed on the insulating pattern layer, the first contact electrode being in electrical contact with the first electrode and the first end of the at least one light emitting element and electrically connecting the first electrode and the at least one light emitting element; and

a second contact electrode disposed on the insulating pattern layer, the second contact electrode being in electrical contact with the second electrode and the second end of the at least one light emitting element and electrically connecting the second electrode and the at least one light emitting element.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the barrier portion is larger than a length of the at least one light emitting element in the direction.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein a width of the fixing portion in the direction is smaller than the length of the at least one light emitting element in the direction.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein side surfaces of the at least one light emitting element and the barrier facing the at least one light emitting element are spaced apart from each other.

8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the side surface of the barrier is inclined with respect to a bottom surface of the barrier, and wherein the side surface of the barrier is inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the barrier at an angle of 75 ° to 85 °.

9. The display device of claim 8, further comprising:

a reflective layer disposed on the barrier portion.

10. The display device according to claim 1,

the first electrode includes:

a first electrode rod extending in a first direction; and

a plurality of first electrode branches extending from the first electrode rod in a second direction intersecting the first direction,

the second electrode includes:

a second electrode rod spaced apart from the first electrode rod in the second direction and extending in the first direction; and

a plurality of second electrode branches extending from the second electrode rod in the second direction, an

The plurality of first electrode branches and the plurality of second electrode branches are alternately arranged in the first direction.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same.

Background

With the development of multimedia, display devices have become more and more important, and various types of display devices, such as Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display devices, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices, and the like, have been used.

A display device, which is a device for displaying an image, includes a display panel such as an OLED display panel or an LCD panel. The display panel may include light emitting elements such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and the LEDs may be classified into OLEDs using organic materials as fluorescent materials and inorganic LEDs (ileds) using inorganic materials as fluorescent materials.

ILEDs using inorganic semiconductors as fluorescent materials are durable even in high temperature environments and have higher blue light efficiency than OLEDs. To address the limitations of conventional ILEDs, transfer methods using Dielectrophoresis (DEP) have been developed. Research has continued into ILEDs that are more durable and efficient than OLEDs.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display device having improved emission efficiency and a gap with reduced process dispersion between electrodes provided with light emitting elements.

However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those set forth herein. The foregoing and other embodiments of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains by reference to the detailed description of the present disclosure given below.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display apparatus may include: a first electrode disposed on the substrate; a second electrode disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from the first electrode; at least one light emitting element extending in a direction, the at least one light emitting element being disposed between and electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode; and an insulating pattern layer disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode, the insulating pattern layer including a fixing portion disposed on at least a portion of the at least one light emitting element and a barrier portion surrounding the at least one light emitting element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the retainer portion and the barrier portion may be integral with one another, and the retainer portion extends across the barrier portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating pattern layer may include a hole surrounded by the fixing portion and the barrier portion, and the hole may include a first hole exposing a first end portion of the at least one light emitting element and a second hole spaced apart from the first hole and exposing a second end portion of the at least one light emitting element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display device may further include a first contact electrode disposed on the insulating pattern layer and electrically contacting the first electrode and the at least one light emitting element and a second contact electrode disposed on the insulating pattern layer and electrically contacting the second electrode and the at least one light emitting element.

In an exemplary embodiment, an inner diameter of the barrier may be greater than a length of the at least one light emitting element in the one direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, a width of the fixing portion in the one direction may be smaller than a length of the at least one light emitting element in the one direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one light emitting element and the side surface of the barrier facing the at least one light emitting element may be spaced apart from each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, the side surface of the barrier may be inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the barrier, and the side surface of the barrier may be inclined at an angle of about 75 ° to about 85 ° with respect to the bottom surface of the barrier.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display device may further include a reflective layer disposed on the barrier portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first electrode may include a first electrode rod extending in a first direction and a plurality of first electrode branches extending from the first electrode rod in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the second electrode includes a second electrode rod spaced apart from the first electrode rod in the second direction and extending in the first direction and a plurality of second electrode branches extending from the second electrode rod in the second direction. The plurality of first electrode branches and the plurality of second electrode branches may be alternately arranged in the first direction.

According to the above and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of electrodes each having a stem and branches may be provided, and a plurality of light emitting elements may be provided between the branches. The light emitting elements can be placed at desired positions by controlling the distance between the branches, and the alignment of the light emitting elements can be improved.

The electrode layer may be formed before the barrier portion, the barrier portion may change a traveling direction of light emitted from the light emitting element, and the electrode may be directly formed on the circuit element layer without a height difference. As a result, the exposure amount during electrode formation can be easily adjusted, and the distribution of the electrodes can be easily managed by preventing any short circuit that may be caused by the residual film.

Other features and embodiments may be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims.

Drawings

The above and other embodiments and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a schematic layout diagram of a pixel of the display device of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a schematic enlarged layout view of the region a of fig. 2, and shows the relative arrangement of the first and second electrodes, the first and second contact electrodes, the light emitting element, and the first insulating layer;

fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a light emitting element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a schematic enlarged layout view of the region a of fig. 2, and shows the relative arrangement of the first and second electrodes, the light emitting element, and the insulating pattern (or insulating pattern layer);

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device of FIG. 1 taken along line VI-VI' of FIG. 2;

fig. 7 is a schematic enlarged sectional view of a region B of fig. 6;

fig. 8 to 14 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI' of fig. 2 of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI' of fig. 2 of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI' of fig. 2 of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI' of fig. 2 of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 19 is a schematic enlarged layout view of a region a (region a of fig. 2) of a display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and shows a relative arrangement of first and second electrodes, first and second contact electrodes, a light emitting element, and a first insulating layer;

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device of FIG. 19 taken along line XX-XX' of FIG. 19;

fig. 21 is a schematic enlarged layout view of a region a (region a of fig. 2) of a display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and shows a relative arrangement of first and second electrodes, first and second contact electrodes, a light emitting element, and an insulating pattern;

fig. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display apparatus of fig. 21 taken along line XXII-XXII' of fig. 21; and

fig. 23 to 25 are schematic enlarged layout views showing a repair operation that can be performed in the case where a defect occurs in the emission region.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "on" another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Similarly, a second element may also be referred to as a first element.

Unless otherwise defined or implied herein, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1, a display device 1 displays a moving image or a still image. The display device 1 may refer to almost all types of electronic devices that provide a display screen. Examples of the display device 1 may include a Television (TV), a notebook computer, a monitor, a billboard, an internet of things (IoT) device, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), an electronic watch, a smart watch, a watch phone, a head-mounted display, a mobile communication terminal part, an electronic notebook, an electronic book, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a navigation device, a game console, a digital camera, and a video camera.

The display device 1 may include a display panel providing a display screen. Examples of the display panel include an Inorganic Light Emitting Diode (ILED) display panel, an organic led (oled) display panel, a quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED) display panel, a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), and a Field Emission Display (FED) panel. Hereinafter, the display panel of the display apparatus 1 will be described as an ILED display panel, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The first direction DR1, the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3 are defined as shown in the drawings. Specifically, the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 may be directions perpendicular to each other in the same plane. The third direction DR3 may be a direction perpendicular to a plane including the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR 2. The third direction DR3 may be perpendicular to each of the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR 2. The third direction DR3 refers to the thickness direction of the display device 1.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms "above" and "top" as used herein refer to the third direction DR3 (or the display direction of the display apparatus 1), and the term "top surface" as used herein refers to a surface pointing to the third direction DR 3. Further, unless otherwise specified, the terms "below" and "bottom" as used herein refer to the opposite direction of the third direction DR3 (or the opposite direction of the display device 1), and the term "bottom surface" as used herein refers to a surface pointing in the opposite direction of the third direction DR 3. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms "left", "right", "upper" and "lower" as used herein refer to their respective directions in plan view. For example, the term "left" refers to the opposite direction of the first direction DR1, the term "right" refers to the first direction DR1, the term "up" refers to the second direction DR2, and the term "down" refers to the opposite direction of the second direction DR 2.

The display device 1 may have a rectangular shape in plan view, which is longer in the first direction DR1 than in the second direction DR 2. The corner where the long and short sides of the display device 1 meet may be a right angle, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the corners where the long and short sides of the display device 1 meet may be rounded. However, the planar shape of the display device 1 is not particularly limited and may vary. The display device 1 may have various shapes other than a rectangular shape, such as a square shape, a polygonal shape, a circular shape, or a rectangular shape with rounded corners.

The display apparatus 1 may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The display area DA is an area in which a screen is displayed, and the non-display area NDA is an area in which a screen is not displayed. The display area DA may also be referred to as an active area, and the non-display area NDA may also be referred to as an inactive area.

The shape of the display area DA may be in accordance with the shape of the display device 1. For example, the display area DA may have a shape similar to that of the display device 1 in a plan view, i.e., a rectangular shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the display area DA may have a different shape from the display device 1. The display area DA may typically occupy a middle portion of the display device 1.

The display area DA may include pixels PX. The pixels PX may be arranged in a row direction and a column direction. The pixels PX may have a rectangular shape or a square shape in a plan view, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the pixel PX may have a diamond shape inclined with respect to the first direction DR1 or the second direction DR 2. The pixels PX may be in a stripe pattern orThe modes are alternately arranged.

The non-display area NDA may be disposed on the periphery of the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may surround the entire display area DA or a portion of the display area DA. The display area DA may have a rectangular shape, and the non-display area NDA may be disposed adjacent to four sides of the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may form a bezel of the display apparatus 1. The wiring or the circuit driver included in the display device 1 may be provided in the non-display area NDA, or an external device may be mounted in the non-display area NDA.

Fig. 2 is a schematic layout diagram of a pixel of the display device of fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic enlarged layout view of the region a of fig. 2, and shows the relative arrangement of the first and second electrodes, the first and second contact electrodes, the light emitting element, and the first insulating layer. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a light emitting element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a schematic enlarged layout view of the region a of fig. 2, and shows the relative arrangement of the first and second electrodes, the light emitting element, and the insulating pattern (or insulating pattern layer). Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device of fig. 1 taken along the line VI-VI' of fig. 2.

Referring to fig. 2 to 6, the display device 1 may include a substrate SUB, a circuit element layer CCL disposed on the substrate SUB, and a light emitting element layer EML disposed on the circuit element layer CCL. The light emitting element layer EML may include a first electrode RMT1, a second electrode RMT2, a contact electrode CTE, a reflective layer 400, a light emitting element ED, and an insulating layer. The insulating layer may include a first insulating layer 510, an insulating pattern layer, a second insulating layer 530, and a third insulating layer 540.

The layout of the layers included in the light-emitting element layer EML in each of the pixels PX of the display device 1 will be described below with reference to fig. 2.

Referring to fig. 2, the pixel PX may include a sub-pixel SPXn (where n is an integer of 1 to 3). For example, the pixel PX may include a first sub-pixel SPX1, a second sub-pixel SPX2, and a third sub-pixel SPX 3. The first subpixel SPX1 may emit light of a first color, the second subpixel SPX2 may emit light of a second color, and the third subpixel SPX3 may emit light of a third color. The first, second and third colors may be blue, green and red, respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the sub-pixels SPXn may emit light of the same color. Fig. 2 illustrates that the pixel PX includes three sub-pixels SPXn, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the pixel PX may include more than three sub-pixels SPXn.

Each of the sub-pixels SPXn may include first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2, a contact electrode CTE, and a light emitting element ED. The display device 1 may further include banks BK disposed between the sub-pixels SPXn.

Each of the subpixels SPXn may include an emission region EMA and a non-emission region. The emission region EMA may be a region where light is emitted, and the non-emission region may be a region where light is not emitted. The emission region EMA may be a region that outputs light emitted by the light emitting element ED, and the non-emission region may be a region that is unreachable for light emitted by the light emitting element ED and from which no light is emitted as a result.

The emission region EMA may include a region where the light emitting element ED is disposed and a region located around the region where the light emitting element ED is disposed. The emission area EMA may also include an area where light emitted by the light emitting element ED is reflected or refracted by other elements and is thus emitted.

Each of the subpixels SPXn may further include a cutting region CBA disposed in the non-emission region. The cutting region CBA may be disposed on a first side in the second direction DR2 of the emission region EMA. The cutting region CBA may be disposed between the emission regions EMA of each pair of adjacent sub-pixels SPXn in the second direction DR 2.

The emission areas EMA of the sub-pixels SPXn of the pixel PX may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR 1. Similarly, the cutting regions CBA of the sub-pixels SPXn of the pixel PX may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR 1. The emission regions EMA may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR1, the cutting regions CBA may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR1, and the emission regions EMA and the cutting regions CBA may be alternately arranged in the second direction DR 2.

The cutting region CBA may be a region in which the first electrode RMT1 is divided into a plurality of portions in the second direction DR2, and the second electrode RMT2 is divided into a plurality of portions in the second direction DR 2. The light emitting element ED may not be disposed in the cutting region CBA. Portions of the first electrode RMT1 and portions of the second electrode RMT2 may be disposed in the cutting region CBA. The first electrode RMT1 may be divided into a plurality of portions in the cutting area CBA, and the second electrode RMT2 may be divided into a plurality of portions in the cutting area CBA.

The first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2 may be electrically connected to the light emitting element ED, and may apply an electrical signal to the light emitting element ED, so that the light emitting element ED may emit light. For example, the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2 may be electrically connected to the light emitting element ED via the first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE 2. An electric signal applied from the circuit element layer CCL to the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2 may be transmitted to the light emitting element ED via the contact electrode CTE.

The bank BK may include a portion extending in the first direction DR1 and a portion extending in the second direction DR2 in a plan view, and may be disposed on the entire surface of the display area DA in a grid pattern. The bank BK may be disposed along a boundary between the subpixels SPXn to separate the subpixels SPXn.

The bank BK may be disposed to surround the emission region EMA and the cutting region CBA of the subpixel SPXn to separate the emission region EMA and the cutting region CBA of the subpixel SPXn. The width of the bank BK located between the emission regions EMA of the sub-pixels SPXn adjacent to each other in the first direction DR1 in the first direction DR1 may be greater than the width of the bank BK located between the cut regions CBA of the sub-pixels SPXn adjacent to each other in the first direction DR1 in the first direction DR 1. Accordingly, the distance between the cutting regions CBA of the sub-pixel SPXn in the first direction DR1 may be smaller than the distance between the emission regions EMA of the sub-pixel SPXn in the first direction DR 1.

In the case where an inkjet printing process for arranging the light emitting elements ED is performed during the manufacture of the display device 1, the banks BK may prevent the ink including the light emitting elements ED from overflowing from one sub-pixel SPXn to another sub-pixel SPXn.

As already mentioned above, the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2 may be electrically connected to the light emitting element ED, and thus may transmit an electrical signal to the light emitting element ED so that the light emitting element ED may emit light of a specific wavelength range. For example, the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2 may receive a predetermined voltage. In the sub-pixel SPXn, an electric field may be formed between at least portions of the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2 to align the light emitting element ED in the emission area EMA.

The first electrode RMT1 may include a first electrode stem RMT11 and a first electrode branch RMT12 branching from the first electrode stem RMT 11.

The first electrode bar RMT11 may be disposed on the left side of the subpixel SPXn (or the second side in the first direction DR 1) in a plan view. The first electrode stem RMT11 may extend in the second direction DR 2. The first electrode bar RMT11 may extend in the second direction DR2 in the subpixel SPXn, and both end portions of the first electrode bar RMT11 may terminate in the cutting region CBA to be spaced apart from the first electrode bar RMT11 of the subpixel SPXn adjacent in the second direction DR 2. The first electrode bars RMT11 of the subpixels SPXn arranged in the same column (i.e., a row of subpixels SPXn arranged in the second direction DR 2) may be substantially on the same straight line.

The first electrode branch RMT12 may branch from the first electrode stem RMT 11. The first electrode branch RMT12 may branch from the first electrode stem RMT11 to extend in the first direction DR 1. The first electrode branches RMT12 may be arranged side by side in the second direction DR 2.

The second electrode RMT2 may include a second electrode rod RMT21 and a second electrode branch RMT22 branched from the second electrode rod RMT 21. The second electrode RMT2 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first electrode RMT 1.

The second electrode bar RMT21 may be disposed on the right side of the sub-pixel SPXn (or the first side in the first direction DR 1) in plan view. The second electrode bar RMT21 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first electrode bar RMT11 in the first direction DR 1. The second electrode rod RMT21 may extend in the second direction DR 2. The second electrode bar RMT21 may extend in the second direction DR2 in the subpixel SPXn, and both end portions of the second electrode bar RMT21 may terminate in the cutting region CBA to be spaced apart from the second electrode bar RMT21 of the subpixel SPXn adjacent in the second direction DR 2. The second electrode bars RMT21 of the subpixels SPXn arranged in the same column (i.e., the second electrode bars RMT21 of one row of subpixels SPXn arranged in the second direction DR 2) may be substantially on the same straight line.

The second electrode branch RMT22 may branch from the second electrode stem RMT 21. The second electrode branches RMT22 may branch from the second electrode rod RMT21 to extend in an opposite direction of the first direction DR1, and may terminate to be spaced apart from the first electrode rod RMT 11. The end of the second electrode branch RMT22 may be disposed spaced apart from the first electrode stem RMT 11. The second electrode branches RMT22 may be arranged side by side in the second direction DR 2.

The first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 may be disposed in the emission area EMA. The first electrode branches RMT12 and the second electrode branches RMT22 may be alternately arranged in the second direction DR2 in the emission area EMA. The first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 may be alternately arranged in the order of the second electrode branch RMT22, the first electrode branch RMT12, the second electrode branch RMT22, and the first electrode branch RMT12 from the lower side of the emission area EMA in the second direction DR2 (i.e., in a direction from the lower side to the upper side of the emission area EMA in plan view), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 may be alternately arranged in the order of the first electrode branch RMT12, the second electrode branch RMT22, the first electrode branch RMT12, and the second electrode branch RMT22 from the lower side of the emission area EMA in the second direction DR2 (i.e., in a direction from the lower side to the upper side of the emission area EMA in plan view), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR 2.

As already mentioned above, the first electrode rod RMT11 and the second electrode rod RMT21 may extend in the second direction DR 2. The first and second electrode bars RMT11 and RMT21 may be disposed in the subpixel SPXn to extend across portions of the bank BK extending in the first direction DR1 to separate the emission area EMA and the cutting area CBA. The first and second electrode bars RMT11 and RMT21 may overlap a portion of the bank BK between the cutting region CBA and the emission region EMA, and the contact holes CT1 and CT2 may be formed in the overlapping region of the bank BK with the first and second electrode bars RMT11 and RMT 21. The first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2 may be electrically connected to the circuit element layer CCL via the contact holes CT1 and CT2 to receive an electrical signal from the circuit element layer CCL.

Each of the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2 is illustrated as including one electrode rod (i.e., the first or second electrode rod RMT11 or RMT21) and four electrode branches (i.e., the first or second electrode branches RMT12 or RMT22) branched from the first or second electrode rod RMT11 or RMT21, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, each of the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2 may include more than four electrode branches RMT12 or RMT 22.

The light emitting element ED may be disposed between the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT 2. For example, the light emitting element ED may be disposed between the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 between the first and second electrode rods RMT11 and RMT 21. The light emitting element ED may be disposed on the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 such that both end portions of the light emitting element ED overlap the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 of the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT 2.

A first end of the light emitting element ED may be electrically connected to the first electrode RMT1, and a second end of the light emitting element ED may be electrically connected to the second electrode RMT 2. The light emitting element ED may be electrically connected to the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2 via the contact electrode CTE.

The contact electrode CTE may be disposed in the emission area EMA. The contact electrode CTE may include a first contact electrode CTE1 and a second contact electrode CTE 2. The first contact electrode CTE1 and the second contact electrode CTE2 may be in electrical contact with the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2, respectively, and with the light emitting element ED in the emission region EMA. The first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE2 may electrically connect the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2 and the light emitting element ED.

The first contact electrode CTE1 may be disposed on the first electrode RMT 1. The first contact electrode CTE1 may be disposed in the emission area EMA to overlap with the first electrode RMT1 in the third direction DR 3.

The first contact electrode CTE1 may conform to the shape of the first electrode RMT 1. The first contact electrode CTE1 may have a similar shape in plan view to the first electrode RMT 1. The first contact electrode CTE1 may be disposed to completely cover the first electrode RMT1 in the third direction DR3, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first contact electrode CTE1 may have a similar shape to the first electrode RMT1 but have a larger size than the first electrode RMT1 in a plan view to completely cover the first electrode RMT1 in the third direction DR 3.

The first contact electrode CTE1 may include a first contact electrode stem CTE11 and a first contact electrode branch CTE12 that branches from the first contact electrode stem CTE 11.

The first contact electrode stem CTE11 may extend in a second direction DR 2. The first contact electrode rod CTE11 may extend in the second direction DR2 and may terminate in both upper and lower portions of the emission region EMA, so that both ends of the first contact electrode rod CTE11 may be located within the emission region EMA.

The first contact electrode rod CTE11 may be disposed on the first electrode rod RMT11 in the emission region EMA. The first contact electrode stem CTE11 may overlap the first electrode stem RMT11 in the third direction DR 3. The first contact electrode stem CTE11 may be disposed to completely cover the first electrode stem RMT11 in the third direction DR 3.

The first contact electrode branch CTE12 may branch from the first contact electrode stem CTE 11. The first contact electrode branch CTE12 may branch from the first contact electrode stem CTE11 to extend in the first direction DR 1. The first contact electrode branches CTE12 may be arranged side-by-side in the second direction DR 2.

The first contact electrode branch CTE12 may be disposed on the first electrode branch RMT12 in the emission area EMA. The first contact electrode branch CTE12 may overlap the first electrode branch RMT12 in the third direction DR 3. The first contact electrode branch CTE12 may be disposed to completely cover the first electrode branch RMT12 in the third direction DR 3.

The second contact electrode CTE2 may be disposed spaced apart from the first contact electrode CTE 1. The second contact electrode CTE2 may be disposed on the second electrode RMT 2. The second contact electrode CTE2 may be disposed in the emission area EMA to overlap with the second electrode RMT2 in the third direction DR 3.

The second contact electrode CTE2 may conform to the shape of the second electrode RMT 2. The second contact electrode CTE2 may have a similar shape in plan view to the second electrode RMT 2. The second contact electrode CTE2 may be disposed to completely cover the second electrode RMT2 in the third direction DR3, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The second contact electrode CTE2 may have a similar shape to the second electrode RMT2 but have a larger size than the second electrode RMT2 in a plan view to completely cover the second electrode RMT2 in the third direction DR 3.

The second contact electrode CTE2 may include a second contact electrode stem CTE21 and a second contact electrode branch CTE22 that branches from the second contact electrode stem CTE 21.

The second contact electrode stem CTE21 may extend in a second direction DR 2. The second contact electrode rod CTE21 may extend in the second direction DR2 and may terminate in both upper and lower portions of the emission region EMA, so that both ends of the second contact electrode rod CTE21 may be located within the emission region EMA.

The second contact electrode rod CTE21 may be disposed on the second electrode rod RMT21 in the emission region EMA. The second contact electrode stem CTE21 may overlap the second electrode stem RMT21 in the third direction DR 3. The second contact electrode stem CTE21 may be disposed to completely cover the second electrode stem RMT21 in the third direction DR 3.

The second contact electrode branch CTE22 may branch from the second contact electrode stem CTE 21. The second contact electrode branch CTE22 may branch from the second contact electrode stem CTE21 to extend in an opposite direction of the first direction DR 1. The second contact electrode branches CTE22 may be arranged side-by-side in the second direction DR 2.

The second contact electrode branch CTE22 may be disposed on the second electrode branch RMT22 in the emission area EMA. The second contact electrode branch CTE22 may overlap the second electrode branch RMT22 in the third direction DR 3. The second contact electrode branch CTE22 may be disposed to completely cover the second electrode branch RMT22 in the third direction DR 3.

The first contact electrode CTE1 and the second contact electrode CTE2 may be disposed spaced apart from each other. The first contact electrode CTE1 and the second contact electrode CTE2 may be insulated from each other.

The shape of the light emitting element ED and the relative arrangement of the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2, the first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE2, and the first insulating layer 510 in plan view will be described below with reference to fig. 3 and 4.

As already mentioned above, the light emitting element ED may be disposed between the first and second electrode rods RMT11 and RMT21 in an area where the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 are spaced apart from and face each other.

In one embodiment, the light emitting elements ED may be Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). For example, the light emitting element ED may be an inorganic led (iled) having a size of several micrometers or several nanometers and including an inorganic material. The ILED may be aligned by creating an electric field between two electrodes. For example, an electric field may be formed in a particular direction between two opposing electrodes, and thus the ILED may be aligned and disposed between the two electrodes.

Referring to fig. 4, the light emitting element ED may have a shape extending in one direction. The light emitting element ED may have a rod shape, a wire shape, or a tube shape. For example, the light emitting element ED may have a cylindrical shape or a bar shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another example, the light emitting element ED may have a polygonal pillar shape (such as a shape of a regular cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, or a hexagonal pillar), or may have a shape extending in one direction but having a partially inclined outer surface. The semiconductors included in the light emitting elements ED may be sequentially disposed or stacked in a direction in which the light emitting elements ED extend.

The light emitting element ED may include a semiconductor layer doped with impurities of any conductivity type (e.g., p-type or n-type). The semiconductor layer may receive an electrical signal from an external power source to emit light of a specific wavelength range.

The light emitting element ED may include a first semiconductor layer 31, a second semiconductor layer 32, an active layer 33, an electrode layer 37, and an insulating film 38.

The first semiconductor layer 31 may include an n-type semiconductor.For example, in the case where the light emitting element ED emits light in the blue wavelength range, the first semiconductor layer 31 may include a semiconductor material Al_xGa_yIn_1-x-yN (wherein 0. ltoreq. x.ltoreq.1, 0. ltoreq. y.ltoreq.1, and 0. ltoreq. x + y. ltoreq.1). For example, the semiconductor material Al_xGa_yIn_1-x-yThe N may be at least one of AlGaInN, GaN, AlGaN, InGaN, AlN, and InN doped with an N-type dopant. The first semiconductor layer 31 may be doped with an n-type dopant, and the n-type dopant may be, for example, Si, Ge, or Sn. For example, the first semiconductor layer 31 may be n-GaN doped with n-type Si. The first semiconductor layer 31 may have a thickness of about 1.5 μm to about 5 μm in a direction in which the light emitting element ED extends, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The second semiconductor layer 32 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first semiconductor layer 31 in a direction in which the light emitting elements ED extend. The second semiconductor layer 32 may include a p-type semiconductor. For example, in the case where the light emitting element ED emits light in a blue or green wavelength range, the second semiconductor layer 32 may include a semiconductor material Al_xGa_yIn_1-x-yN (wherein 0. ltoreq. x.ltoreq.1, 0. ltoreq. y.ltoreq.1, and 0. ltoreq. x + y. ltoreq.1). For example, the semiconductor material Al_xGa_yIn_1-x-yThe N may be at least one of AlGaInN, GaN, AlGaN, InGaN, AlN, and InN doped with a p-type dopant. The second semiconductor layer 32 may be doped with a p-type dopant, and the p-type dopant may be, for example, Mg, Zn, Ca, Se, or Ba. For example, the second semiconductor layer 32 may be p-GaN doped with p-type Mg. The second semiconductor layer 32 may have a thickness of about 0.05 μm to about 0.10 μm in a direction in which the light emitting elements ED extend, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The first semiconductor layer 31 and the second semiconductor layer 32 are shown as being formed as a single-layer film. As another example, each of the first and second semiconductor layers 31 and 32 may include more than one layer, such as, for example, a cladding layer or a Tensile Strain Barrier Reduction (TSBR) layer, depending on the material of the active layer 33.

The active layer 33 is disposed between the first semiconductor layer 31 and the second semiconductor layer 32. The active layer 33 may include a single quantum well structure material or a multiple quantum well structure material. In the case where the active layer 33 includes a material having a multiple quantum well structure, the active layer 33 may have a structure in which a plurality of quantum layers and a plurality of well layers are alternately stacked. The active layer 33 may emit light by combining electron-hole pairs according to an electrical signal applied thereto through the first semiconductor layer 31 and the second semiconductor layer 32. For example, in the case where the active layer 33 emits light in a blue wavelength range, the active layer 33 may include a material such as AlInN, AlGaN, or AlGaInN. In one embodiment, the active layer 33 may include AlGaInN as its quantum layer and AlInN as its well layer, and may emit blue light having a central wavelength ranging from about 450nm to about 495 nm.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the active layer 33 may have a structure in which a semiconductor material having a large band gap energy and a semiconductor material having a small band gap energy are alternately stacked. The type of light emitted by the active layer 33 is not limited to blue light. The active layer 33 may also emit light in the red or green wavelength range instead of blue light, as desired. The active layer 33 may have a thickness of about 0.05 μm to about 0.10 μm in a direction in which the light emitting elements ED extend, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The electrode layer 37 may be disposed on the second semiconductor layer 32. The electrode layer 37 may be an ohmic contact electrode, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the electrode layer 37 may be a schottky contact electrode. The electrode layer 37 may include a conductive metal. For example, the electrode layer 37 may include at least one of Al, Ti, In, Au, Ag, ITO, IZO, and ITZO. In addition, the electrode layer 37 may include a semiconductor material doped with n-type or p-type dopants. The electrode layers 37 may include the same material or different materials, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The insulating film 38 is provided so as to surround the side faces of the first and second semiconductor layers 31 and 32, the active layer 33, and the electrode layer 37. For example, the insulating film 38 may be provided so as to surround at least the side face of the active layer 33, and may extend in the direction in which the light emitting elements ED extend. The insulating film 38 may protect the first semiconductor layer 31, the second semiconductor layer 32, the active layer 33, and the electrode layer 37. For example, the insulating film 38 may be formed to surround the side surfaces of the first semiconductor layer 31, the second semiconductor layer 32, the active layer 33, and the electrode layer 37 and expose both end portions of the light emitting element ED in the length direction.

The insulating film 38 may have a thickness of about 10nm to about 1.0 μm, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The insulating film 38 may have a thickness of about 40 nm.

The insulating film 38 may include a material having an insulating property, such as, for example, silicon oxide (SiO)_x) Silicon nitride (SiN)_x) Silicon oxynitride (SiO)_xN_y) Aluminum nitride (AlN) or aluminum oxide (Al)₂O₃). Therefore, the insulating film 38 can prevent any short circuit that may occur in the case where the active layer 33 is placed in direct contact with an electrode that directly transmits an electrical signal to the light emitting element ED. Since the light emitting element ED includes the insulating film 38 to protect the outer surface of the light emitting element ED, any decrease in emission efficiency of the light emitting element ED can be prevented.

The length h1 of the light emitting element ED may be in the range of about 1 μm to about 10 μm, about 2 μm to about 6 μm, or about 3 μm to about 5 μm. The light emitting element ED may have a diameter of about 30nm to about 700nm and may have an aspect ratio of about 1.2 to about 100. The light emitting element ED may have a diameter of about 500 nm. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The different light emitting elements ED comprised in the display device 1 may have different diameters depending on the composition of their respective active layers 33.

Referring again to fig. 3, in the emission area EMA, both end portions of each light emitting element ED extending in one direction may be disposed on the first electrode branch RMT12 of the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode branch RMT22 of the second electrode RMT2, respectively. The light emitting elements ED may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other and may be substantially aligned in the second direction DR 2. For example, the light emitting elements ED may have a shape extending in one direction, and the direction in which the light emitting elements ED extend may substantially form a right angle with the direction in which the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 extend. For example, the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 may extend along the first direction DR1, and the light emitting element ED may be aligned between the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 to extend in the second direction DR 2. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The light emitting elements ED may be diagonally arranged with respect to the direction in which the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 extend.

In one embodiment, the emission area EMA of the display device 1 may include cell branches. The cell branch may refer to a minimum cell including the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 between the first and second electrode bars RMT11 and RMT21 to cause the light emitting element ED to emit light. In order to be able to emit light, both end portions of each light emitting element ED may be electrically connected to the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22, respectively.

The unit branches may be repeatedly arranged between the first electrode rod RMT11 and the second electrode rod RMT21 in the second direction DR 2. Each of the cell branches may include first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 branched from the first and second electrode rods RMT11 and RMT21, respectively. To be able to emit light, each light emitting element ED may be disposed between the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 of each of the cell branches.

As already mentioned above, the light emitting element ED may be aligned by applying an electrical signal to the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT 2. For example, during the manufacture of the display device 1, the light emitting elements ED may be sprayed onto the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2, and then the light emitting elements ED may be aligned by applying an electrical signal for aligning the light emitting elements ED to the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT 2. Upon application of an electrical signal, an electric field may be formed between the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2, and the position and alignment direction of the light emitting element ED may be changed by power from the electric field, so that the light emitting element ED may be disposed between the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT 2. The smaller the distance between the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2, the stronger the electric power becomes. Therefore, in order to properly align the light emitting elements ED, it is necessary to properly set a distance d1 between the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 of each of the cell branches, a length h1 of the light emitting element ED, and a distance d2 between the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 included in the adjacent cell branches.

In each of the cell branches, the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR 2. In order to dispose each light emitting element ED on the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 of each of the cell branches, the distance d1 may be set to be less than the length h 1. The distance d1 may be defined as the distance between opposing sides of the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 of each of the cell branches.

In order to arrange the light emitting element ED in the cell branches (particularly between the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 of each of the cell branches, not between different cell branches), the distance d1 may be set to be different from the distance d 2. For example, distance d2 may be greater than distance d 1. Further, the distance d2 may be greater than the length h 1.

For example, where the length h1 is about 3 μm to about 5 μm, the distance d1 may be less than about 3 μm to about 5 μm. Further, where the length h1 is from about 3 μm to about 5 μm, the distance d2 may be from about 10 μm to about 12 μm. If the distance d1 is set to be less than the distance d2, stronger power may be applied between the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 of each of the cell branches, and as a result, alignment of the light emitting element ED may be improved. Further, if the distance d2 is set to be greater than the length h1, the light emitting elements ED may not emit light without their electrical connection between different cell branches even if the light emitting elements ED are disposed between the different cell branches.

Fig. 7 is a schematic enlarged sectional view of the region B of fig. 6.

The relative arrangement of the light emitting element ED, the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2, and the insulating pattern layer will be described below with reference to fig. 5 to 7.

In one embodiment, the display apparatus 1 may include an insulating pattern layer, and the insulating pattern layer may include an insulating pattern 520.

The insulation patterns 520 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In the emission region EMA of one subpixel SPXn, the insulation patterns 520 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the second direction DR 2. Each of the insulation patterns 520 may be disposed to overlap with the at least one light emitting element ED in the third direction DR 3. For example, each of the insulation patterns 520 may be disposed to correspond to (e.g., one-to-one to) at least one light emitting element ED on one unit branch and overlap with the at least one light emitting element ED on one unit branch, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, each of the insulation patterns 520 may be disposed to overlap all the light emitting elements ED disposed on one unit branch.

The insulation pattern 520 may be disposed on the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2 in the emission area EMA. For example, the insulation pattern 520 may be disposed on the first electrode branch RMT12 of the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode branch RMT22 of the second electrode RMT 2.

The insulation pattern 520 may include a fixing part 521 and a barrier 522.

The barriers 522 may be disposed to surround their respective light emitting elements ED in a plan view. In plan view, the barrier 522 may have an annular shape with an outer diameter w3 and an inner diameter w2, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. In plan view, the barrier 522 may have one or more of a variety of other shapes, such as a square shape, an oval shape, or a rectangular shape.

The barrier 522 may not overlap the light emitting element ED in the third direction DR 3. The inner diameter w2 (which may be the smallest inner diameter) of the barrier 522 may be greater than the length h1 of the light emitting element ED. In this case, the barrier 522 may be disposed to surround the light emitting element ED and to completely expose the light emitting element ED in the third direction DR 3.

The barrier 522 may not overlap the first electrode stem RMT11 of the first electrode RMT1 or the second electrode stem RMT21 of the second electrode RMT2 in the third direction DR 3. The outer diameter w3 of the barrier 522 may be smaller than the distance between the first electrode rod RMT11 and the second electrode rod RMT 21. The maximum outer diameter of the barrier 522 may be formed to be smaller than the distance between the first and second electrode rods RMT11 and RMT21, and thus, the barrier 522 may be disposed in the gap between the first and second electrode rods RMT11 and RMT 21.

The barrier 522 may be disposed to surround the light emitting element ED, and may change a traveling direction of light emitted from the light emitting element ED to an upward direction. This will be described below with reference to the other figures.

The fixing portion 521 may be formed to extend across the barrier 522. The fixing portion 521 may be integrally formed with the barrier 522. The fixing portion 521 may be disposed within the barrier 522 on the light emitting element ED exposed by the barrier 522, wherein the barrier 522 is annular in a plan view.

The direction in which the fixing portion 521 extends may be the same as the direction in which the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 extend. The fixing portion 521 may extend in the first direction DR1 within the space defined by the barrier portion 522. The direction in which the fixing portion 521 extends may be perpendicular to the direction in which the light emitting element ED extends between the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT 22.

The fixing portion 521 may be disposed between the first electrode branch RMT12 and the second electrode branch RMT 22. The fixing portion 521 may not overlap with the first electrode branch RMT12 or the second electrode branch RMT22 in the third direction DR 3. The fixing portion 521 may be disposed to expose at least a portion of the light emitting element ED. The fixing portions 521 may be disposed on the light emitting elements ED to expose both end portions of each of the light emitting elements ED. The width w1 of the fixing portion 521 in the second direction DR2 may be less than the length h1 of the light emitting element ED. In this case, both end portions of each of the light emitting elements ED may be exposed by the fixing portions 521 in the third direction DR 3.

The fixing portion 521 may be disposed on at least a portion of the light emitting element ED, and may fix the light emitting element ED so that the light emitting element ED is not lost during the manufacture of the display device 1.

The insulation pattern 520 may include holes HA surrounded by the barrier 522 and the fixing 521. The pore HA may include a first pore HA1 and a second pore HA 2. The first aperture HA1 may be spaced apart from the second aperture HA 2. The first hole HA1 may expose a first end portion of the light emitting element ED disposed on the first electrode branch RMT12 in the third direction DR3, and the second hole HA2 may expose a second end portion of the light emitting element ED disposed on the second electrode branch RMT22 in the third direction DR 3.

The cross-sectional structure in each sub-pixel SPXn of the display device 1 will be described below with reference to fig. 2 to 7.

As already mentioned above, the display device 1 may include a substrate SUB, a circuit element layer CCL disposed on the substrate SUB, and a light emitting element layer EML disposed on the circuit element layer CCL.

The substrate SUB may be an insulating substrate. The substrate SUB may be formed of an insulating material such as glass, quartz, or polymer resin. The substrate SUB may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate that is bendable, foldable or rollable.

The circuit element layer CCL of the driving pixels PX may be disposed on the substrate SUB. The circuit element layer CCL may be disposed between the substrate SUB and the light emitting element layer EML. The circuit element layer CCL may include pixel circuits such as switching elements that drive the pixels PX.

The light emitting element layer EML may include conductive layers 100, 200, and 300 disposed on the circuit element layer CCL and insulating layers 510, 520, 530, and 540 also disposed on the circuit element layer CCL. In one embodiment, the conductive layers 100, 200, and 300 of the light emitting element layer EML may include a first conductive layer 100, a second conductive layer 200, and a third conductive layer 300. The insulating layers 510, 520, 530, and 540 of the light emitting element layer EML may include a first insulating layer 510, an insulating pattern layer, a second insulating layer 530, and a third insulating layer 540.

The first conductive layer 100 may be disposed on the circuit element layer CCL. The first conductive layer 100 may include a first electrode RMT1 and a second electrode RMT 2. As already mentioned above, the first electrode RMT1 may include the first electrode stem RMT11 and the first electrode branch RMT12, and the second electrode RMT2 may include the second electrode stem RMT21 and the second electrode branch RMT 22. The first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other on the substrate SUB. The circuit element layer CCL may include a via layer, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first conductive layer 100 may be disposed directly on the via layer without the aid of a bank.

The first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2 may be disposed on the same plane or layer. A distance from one surface (or top surface) of the substrate SUB to the top surface of the first electrode RMT1 and a distance from one surface (or top surface) of the substrate SUB to the top surface of the second electrode RMT2 may be substantially equal to each other.

The first conductive layer 100 may include a transparent conductive material. For example, the first conductive layer 100 may include Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), or Indium Tin Zinc Oxide (ITZO). The first conductive layer 100 may have a stacked structure, such as ITO/silver (Ag)/ITO, ITO/Ag/IZO or ITO/Ag/IZO, or may include an alloy of aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), or lanthanum (La).

The first insulating layer 510 may be disposed on the first conductive layer 100. The first insulating layer 510 may be disposed on a portion of the circuit element layer CCL exposed by the first conductive layer 100. The first insulating layer 510 may be disposed to expose at least portions of the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT 2. The first insulating layer 510 may be disposed on the entire surface of the substrate SUB and may include an opening OP exposing at least portions of the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT 2.

For example, the opening OP may overlap the first electrode stem RMT11 of the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode stem RMT21 of the second electrode RMT2 in the third direction DR 3. The opening OP may not overlap the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 in the third direction DR 3. Accordingly, the first insulating layer 510 may completely cover the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 in the third direction DR3, but may expose at least portions of the first and second electrode rods RMT11 and RMT21 in the third direction DR 3. The portions of the first and second electrode rods RMT11 and RMT21 exposed by the opening OP may be in physical contact with the first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE 2.

A height difference may be formed in the first insulating layer 510 such that a portion of the top surface of the first insulating layer 510 may be recessed between the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT 22. A portion of the top surface of the first insulating layer 510 may be recessed due to any height difference in the underlying elements, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, a height difference may not be formed in the first insulating layer 510.

The first insulating layer 510 may protect the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2, and may insulate the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2 from each other. In addition, the first insulating layer 510 can prevent the light emitting element ED disposed on the first insulating layer 510 from being placed in direct contact with and damaged by other elements.

The first insulating layer 510 may include an inorganic insulating material. For example, the first insulating layer 510 may include an inorganic insulating material, such as SiO_x、SiN_x、SiO_xN_y、Al₂O₃Or AlN.

The bank BK may be disposed on the first insulating layer 510. At least a portion of the bank BK may protrude from the top surface of the substrate SUB. The protruding portion of the bank BK may have an inclined side surface. The bank BK may be formed to have a higher level than the barrier portion 522 and the fixing portion 521 of the insulating pattern layer to be described below. As used herein, the term "horizontal" may be defined as the shortest distance from one surface (or top surface) of the substrate SUB to the substantial top surface of each element. The bank BK may prevent ink from overflowing between adjacent sub-pixels SPXn during an inkjet printing process performed during the manufacture of the display apparatus 1. The bank BK may separate the sub-pixels SPXn, and thus may prevent the ink in which the light emitting elements ED are dispersed from being mixed together across the sub-pixels SPXn.

The side surface of the bank BK is illustrated as linearly inclined, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the side surface (or the outer surface) of the bank BK may have a semicircular shape or a semi-elliptical shape having a curvature. In one embodiment, the bank BK may include an organic insulating material such as Polyimide (PI), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The light emitting element ED may be disposed on the first insulating layer 510. The light emitting element ED may be disposed on the first insulating layer 510 between the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT 2. Specifically, both end portions of each of the light emitting elements ED may be disposed on the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT22 of each cell branch.

The light emitting element ED may include the active layer 33, and thus may emit light of a specific wavelength range. The display device 1 may comprise light emitting elements ED emitting light of different wavelength ranges. Accordingly, the first, second, and third sub-pixels SPX1, SPX2, and SPX3 may emit light of the first, second, and third colors, respectively, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the light emitting element ED may include the active layer 33, and the active layers 33 include the same material and may emit light of substantially the same color.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, an insulation pattern 520 may be disposed on the first insulation layer 510. As already mentioned above, the insulation patterns 520 may be patterned to be spaced apart from each other on the first insulation layer 510. The insulation pattern 520 may include a fixing part 521, a barrier part 522, and a first region 523. The fixing part 521, the barrier part 522 and the first region 523 may be formed through the same process.

The fixing portion 521 may be disposed on a portion of the light emitting element ED. The fixing portions 521 may be provided on the light emitting element ED so as not to cover both end portions of the light emitting element ED. The fixing portion 521 may be disposed to surround an outer surface of the light emitting element ED. Therefore, the fixing part 521 may protect the light emitting element ED and, at the same time, fix the light emitting element ED so that the light emitting element ED is not lost during the manufacturing of the display device 1.

The fixing part 521 may include a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface. The bottom surface of the fixing portion 521 may be disposed on the side surface of the light emitting element ED. The top surface of the fixing portion 521 may be opposite to the bottom surface of the fixing portion 521. The distance between the top and bottom surfaces of the fixing part 521 may be substantially uniform, so that the fixing part 521 may have substantially a uniform thickness.

The barrier 522 may be disposed to surround the light emitting element ED in a plan view. The barrier section 522 may change the traveling direction of light emitted from both end portions of the light emitting element ED to an upward direction, which is the display direction of the display device 1.

The barrier 522 may include a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces. The bottom surface of the barrier 522 may be placed on one surface of the first insulating layer 510. A top surface of the barrier 522 may be opposite a bottom surface of the barrier 522. The height differences may be formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the barrier 522 due to the presence of any height differences in the elements disposed below the barrier 522. The distance between the top and bottom surfaces of the barrier 522 may be substantially uniform such that the barrier 522 may generally have a uniform thickness.

The inner side surfaces of the barriers 522 may face both ends of the light emitting element ED. The inner side surface of the barrier 522 may be inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the bottom surface of the barrier 522, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the angle θ may be about 75 ° to about 85 °.

As already mentioned above, the fixing part 521 and the barrier part 522 may be formed by the same process. The fixing part 521 and the barrier 522 may have the same thickness. The thickness h21 of the fixer 521 (i.e., the average distance between the bottom surface of the fixer 521 and the top surface of the fixer 521 in the third direction DR 3) may be equal to the thickness h22 of the barrier 522 (i.e., the average distance between the bottom surface and the top surface of the barrier 522 in the third direction DR 3), but the disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, thickness h21 may be different than thickness h 22.

The thickness h22 may be larger than the diameter of the light emitting element ED. In this case, light emitted from the light emitting element ED can be effectively prevented from leaking from the emission region EMA. For example, the thickness h22 may be aboutTo about

The first region 523 may be disposed in a recess in the first insulating layer 510 under the light emitting element ED. The first region 523 may be formed by filling a recess in the first insulating layer 510 under the light emitting element ED with a material included in the insulating pattern 520. The first region 523 may be formed in a process of forming an insulating pattern layer including the insulating pattern 520.

The insulation pattern 520 may include an inorganic insulation material. For example, the insulation pattern 520May comprise an inorganic insulating material, such as SiO_x、SiN_x、SiO_xN_y、Al₂O₃Or AlN.

The second conductive layer 200 may be disposed on the insulation pattern 520. The second conductive layer 200 may include a first contact electrode CTE 1. The first contact electrode CTE1 may include a first contact electrode stem CTE11 and a first contact electrode branch CTE 12.

The first contact electrode stem CTE11 may be disposed on the first electrode stem RMT11 of the first electrode RMT 1. The first contact electrode stem CTE11 may be in electrical contact with the portion of the top surface of the first electrode stem RMT11 exposed by the opening OP of the first insulating layer 510.

The first contact electrode branch CTE12 may be disposed on the first electrode branch RMT12 of the first electrode RMT 1. The first contact electrode branch CTE12 may be disposed on the barrier part 522, the first end of the light emitting element ED, and the fixing part 521 on the first electrode branch RMT 12.

The first contact electrode branch CTE12 may be disposed to cover top and side surfaces of the portion of the barrier 522 disposed on the first electrode branch RMT 12. The first contact electrode branch CTE12 may be in electrical contact with a first end of the light emitting element ED exposed by the first hole HA 1. The first contact electrode branch CTE12 may be disposed on the first end of the light emitting element ED, and may extend to be disposed on at least a portion of the top surface and the side surface of the fixing portion 521.

The first contact electrode CTE1 may be in electrical contact not only with the portion of the first electrode rod RMT11 exposed by one of the openings OP of the first insulating layer 510, but also with the first end portion of the light emitting element ED exposed by the first hole HA 1. Since the first contact electrode CTE1 is in electrical contact with the first electrode RMT1 and with the first end of the light emitting element ED, the first electrode RMT1 and the light emitting element ED may be electrically connected.

The second insulating layer 530 may be disposed on the second conductive layer 200. For example, the second insulating layer 530 may be disposed on the first contact electrode CTE 1. The second insulating layer 530 may electrically insulate the first contact electrode CTE1 and the second contact electrode CTE2 from each other. The second insulating layer 530 may be disposed to cover the first contact electrode CTE1, and may not be disposed on the second end portion of the light emitting element ED, so that the light emitting element ED may be in electrical contact with the second contact electrode CTE 2. The second insulating layer 530 may partially contact the first contact electrode CTE1 and the fixing part 521 on the top surface of the fixing part 521. A side surface of the second insulating layer 530 on the fixing part 521 may be aligned with a side surface of the fixing part 521.

The third conductive layer 300 may be disposed on the second insulating layer 530. The third conductive layer 300 may include a second contact electrode CTE 2. The second contact electrode CTE2 may include a second contact electrode stem CTE21 and a second contact electrode branch CTE 22.

The second contact electrode stem CTE21 may be disposed on the second electrode stem RMT21 of the second electrode RMT 2. The second contact electrode stem CTE21 may be in electrical contact with a portion of the top surface of the second electrode stem RMT21 exposed by one of the openings OP of the first insulating layer 510.

The second contact electrode branch CTE22 may be disposed on the second electrode branch RMT22 of the second electrode RMT 2. The second contact electrode branch CTE22 may be disposed on the second electrode branch RMT22 on a portion of the second insulating layer 530 on the fixing portion 521, the barrier 522, and the second end portion of the light emitting element ED.

The second contact electrode branch CTE22 may be disposed to cover top and side surfaces of the portion of the barrier 522 disposed on the second electrode branch RMT 22. The second contact electrode branch CTE22 may be in electrical contact with a second end of the light emitting element ED exposed by the second hole HA 2. The second contact electrode branch CTE22 may be disposed on the second end portion of the light emitting element ED, and may extend to be disposed on at least a portion of the second insulating layer 530 disposed on the side surface and the top surface of the fixing portion 521.

The second contact electrode CTE2 may be in electrical contact with a portion of the second electrode rod RMT21 exposed by one of the openings OP of the first insulating layer 510, and may also be in electrical contact with a second end of the light emitting element ED exposed by the second hole HA 2. Since the second contact electrode CTE2 is in electrical contact with the second electrode RMT2 and with the second end of the light emitting element ED, the second electrode RMT2 and the light emitting element ED may be electrically connected.

The first contact electrode CTE1 and the second contact electrode CTE2 may include electrically conductive materials. For example, the first contact electrode CTE1 and the second contact electrode CTE2 may include Al. For example, the first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE2 may include ITO, IZO, ITZO, or Al. For example, the first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE2 may include a transparent conductive material, and light emitted from the light emitting element ED may travel toward the side surface of the barrier 522 through the first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE 2. Light emitted from the light emitting element ED toward the side surface of the barrier section 522 may be reflected in an upward direction by the reflective layer 400.

The reflective layer 400 may be disposed on the first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE 2. The reflective layer 400 may include a first reflective layer 410 disposed on the first contact electrode CTE1 and a second reflective layer 420 disposed on the second contact electrode CTE 2.

The first reflective layer 410 may be disposed on a side surface (i.e., an inner side surface) of the barrier 522 where the first hole HA1 is formed. The first reflective layer 410 may be in contact with a portion of the second insulating layer 530 on the side surface of the barrier 522 where the first hole HA1 is formed. The first reflective layer 410 may face the first end of the light emitting element ED and may be disposed to cover a side surface of the barrier 522 where the first hole HA1 is formed. The first reflective layer 410 may extend outward from the side surface of the barrier 522 where the first hole HA1 is formed to be disposed on at least a portion of the top surface of the barrier 522.

The second reflective layer 420 may be disposed on a side surface (i.e., an inner side surface) of the barrier 522 where the second hole HA2 is formed. The second reflective layer 420 may be in contact with a portion of the second contact electrode branch CTE22 located on the side surface of the barrier 522 where the second hole HA2 is formed. The second reflective layer 420 may face the second end of the light emitting element ED, and may be disposed to cover a side surface of the barrier 522 forming the second hole HA 2. The second reflective layer 420 may extend outward from the side surface of the barrier 522 where the second hole HA2 is formed to be disposed on at least a portion of the top surface of the barrier 522.

In order to reflect light emitted from the light emitting element ED, the reflective layer 400 may include a material having a high reflectivity. For example, the reflective layer 400 may include a material such as Ag or Al, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to fig. 7, light L emitted from the light emitting element ED may travel toward a portion of the reflective layer 400 located on the barrier 522. Then, the light L may be reflected by the reflective layer 400 so that the traveling direction of the light L may be changed to an upward direction, which is a display direction of the display apparatus 1.

Referring again to fig. 6, a third insulating layer 540 may be disposed on the entire surface of the substrate SUB. The third insulating layer 540 may protect elements disposed on the substrate SUB from an external environment. The third insulating layer 540 may include an inorganic insulating material or an organic insulating material. For example, the third insulating layer 540 may include an inorganic insulating material, such as SiO_x、SiN_x、SiO_xN_y、Al₂O₃Or AlN. In another example, the third insulating layer 540 may include an organic insulating material such as an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic resin, a polyamide resin, a polyimide resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, a polyphenylene sulfide resin, benzocyclobutene, cardo resin, a siloxane resin, a silsesquioxane resin, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, or a polymethyl methacrylate-polycarbonate synthetic resin. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

A method of manufacturing the display device 1 will be described below with reference to other drawings.

Fig. 8 to 14 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 8, a substrate SUB on which a circuit element layer CCL is provided is prepared. The circuit element layer CCL may include circuit elements formed of a conductive layer and circuit elements formed of an insulating layer. The first conductive layer 100 may be formed on the surface of the substrate SUB where the circuit element layer CCL is provided. The first conductive layer 100 may be formed through a mask process. For example, the first conductive layer 100 may be formed through the same mask process as the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT 2.

The material layer for forming the first conductive layer 100 is deposited on the entire surface of the substrate SUB. Thereafter, a photoresist pattern is formed by applying a photoresist layer on the material layer for forming the first conductive layer 100 and subjecting the photoresist layer to exposure and development, and etching is performed using the photoresist pattern as an etching mask. Thereafter, the photoresist pattern is removed through a stripping or ashing (ashing) process. Since the first conductive layer 100 may be formed directly on the circuit element layer CCL, the top surface of the material layer for forming the first conductive layer 100 may be substantially on a single plane without any height difference thereon. Accordingly, the thickness of the photoresist layer may be uniform, and the exposure amount may be prevented from increasing during the exposure and development of the photoresist layer. As a result, a fine pattern of the first conductive layer 100 may be formed or adjusted.

Thereafter, referring to fig. 9, a first insulating layer 510 is formed on the first conductive layer 100 (i.e., the circuit element layer CCL in which the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT2 are formed). The first insulating layer 510 may include an opening OP exposing the first and second electrode rods RMT11 and RMT21 (e.g., at least portions of the first and second electrode rods RMT11 and RMT 21). The first insulating layer 510 may be formed by placing a material layer for forming the first insulating layer 510 on the substrate SUB and removing a portion of the material layer. For example, the first insulating layer 510 may be formed by dry etching. Thereafter, a bank BK is formed on the first insulating layer 510.

Thereafter, referring to fig. 10, the light emitting element ED is disposed between the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT 2. The ink in which the light emitting elements ED are dispersed may be ejected onto the substrate SUB by a printing process using an inkjet printing apparatus. The ink ejected by the inkjet printing apparatus may be deposited in the area surrounded by the bank BK. The bank BK may prevent the ink from overflowing to the other sub-pixels SPXn.

Thereafter, an insulating pattern layer is formed. The insulating pattern layer may be disposed in a region corresponding to the light emitting element ED. The insulating pattern layer may be formed by depositing an insulating material including an inorganic material on the substrate SUB. The insulating pattern layer may be formed and patterned through a single mask process. Accordingly, the fixing part 521, the barrier part 522, and the first region 523 of the insulating pattern layer may be formed through a single mask process.

Thereafter, referring to fig. 11 to 14, a second conductive layer 200 is formed on the substrate SUB on which the insulating pattern layer is formed. The second conductive layer 200 may include the first contact electrode CTE1, and may be formed by wet etching. A second insulating layer 530 is formed on the substrate SUB on which the second conductive layer 200 is formed. Thereafter, a third conductive layer 300 is formed on the substrate SUB on which the second insulating layer 530 is formed. The third conductive layer 300 may include the second contact electrode CTE2, and may be formed by wet etching. Thereafter, a reflective layer 400 is formed on the substrate SUB on which the third conductive layer 300 is formed. Thereafter, a third insulating layer 540 is formed on the substrate SUB on which the reflective layer 400 is formed, thereby obtaining the display device 1 of fig. 6.

Hereinafter, a display apparatus according to other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to other drawings, focusing mainly on the display apparatus 1 of fig. 6.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI' of fig. 2 of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The display device of fig. 15 differs from the display device 1 of fig. 6 at least in that: the first contact electrode CTE1_1 and the second contact electrode CTE2_1 are formed of the same conductive layer.

Referring to fig. 15, the second conductive layer 200 may include a first contact electrode CTE1_1 and a second contact electrode CTE2_ 1. The first contact electrode CTE1_1 and the second contact electrode CTE2_1 may be formed and patterned by the same mask process.

The first contact electrode branch CTE12_1 of the first contact electrode CTE1_1 may be in electrical contact with a first end of the light emitting element ED. The first contact electrode branch CTE12_1 may be disposed not to overlap the fixing portion 521. The first reflective layer 410 may be disposed directly on the first contact electrode branch CTE12_ 1.

The second contact electrode branch CTE22_1 of the second contact electrode CTE2_1 may be in electrical contact with the second end of the light emitting element ED. The second contact electrode branch CTE22_1 may be disposed not to overlap the fixing portion 521. The second reflective layer 420 may be disposed directly on the second contact electrode branch CTE22_ 1.

The first contact electrode branch CTE12_1 and the second contact electrode branch CTE22_1 disposed on the light emitting element ED may be spaced apart from each other and electrically insulated by the fixing portion 521.

Since the first and second contact electrodes CTE1_1 and CTE2_1 are formed through a single mask process, the number of masks required may be reduced and process economy may be improved.

Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line VI-VI' of fig. 2. The display device of fig. 16 differs from the display device of fig. 15 at least in that: the first and second contact electrodes CTE1_1 and CTE2_1 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other on the top surface of the fixing portion 521.

Referring to fig. 16, the first contact electrode branch CTE12_1 of the first contact electrode CTE1_1 may be disposed on the first end of the light emitting element ED and may extend from the first end of the light emitting element ED to the fixing portion 521 to be disposed on the top surface of the fixing portion 521.

Similarly, the second contact electrode branch CTE22_1 of the second contact electrode CTE2_1 may be disposed on the second end of the light emitting element ED and may extend from the second end of the light emitting element ED to the fixing portion 521 to be disposed on the top surface of the fixing portion 521.

The portions of the first and second contact electrode branches CTE12_1 and CTE22_1 disposed on the side and top surfaces of the fixing portion 521 may be spaced apart from each other on the top surface of the fixing portion 521.

Fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line VI-VI' of fig. 2. The display device of fig. 17 differs from the display device 1 of fig. 6 at least in that: the reflective layer 400_1 is disposed to completely cover the top and side surfaces of the barrier 522.

Referring to fig. 17, the reflective layer 400_1 may include a first reflective layer 410_1 and a second reflective layer 420_1 covering the top surface and the side surface of the barrier 522.

The first reflective layer 410_1 may be disposed on a portion of the barrier 522 where the first hole HA1 is formed, the first hole HA1 exposing the first end of the light emitting element ED. The first reflective layer 410_1 may be disposed to cover all of the inner side surface, the top surface, and the outer side surface of the portion of the barrier 522 forming the first hole HA 1.

The second reflective layer 420_1 may be disposed on a portion of the barrier 522 where the second hole HA2 is formed, the second hole HA2 exposing the second end of the light emitting element ED. The second reflective layer 420_1 may be disposed to cover all of the inner side surface, the top surface, and the outer side surface of the portion of the barrier 522 forming the second hole HA 2.

Since the reflective layer 400_1 is disposed not only on the inner side surface of the barrier section 522 but also on the top surface of the barrier section 522, light that does not travel upward from the light emitting element ED and is reflected onto the top surface of the barrier section 522 may be reflected by the reflective layer 400_1 disposed on the top surface of the barrier section 522, and thus may be emitted in an upward direction.

Fig. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line VI-VI' of fig. 2. The display device of fig. 18 differs from the display device 1 of fig. 6 at least in that: the second insulating layer 530_1 is disposed even on a portion of the barrier 522 where the second hole HA2 is formed.

Referring to fig. 18, the second insulating layer 530_1 may include a first region 531 and a second region 532. The first region 531 of the second insulating layer 530_1 may have substantially the same arrangement and structure as the second insulating layer 530 of fig. 6.

The second region 532 of the second insulating layer 530_1 may be disposed on a portion of the barrier 522 where the second hole HA2 is formed. The second region 532 of the second insulating layer 530_1 may be disposed on the top surface of the portion of the barrier 522 where the second hole HA2 is formed. The second contact electrode branch CTE22 of the second contact electrode CTE2 may be in direct contact with the second region 532 of the second insulating layer 530_ 1.

Since the second insulating layer 530_1 is also provided on the portion of the barrier 522 where the second hole HA2 is formed, the height of the barrier serving as a reflective barrier for reflecting light emitted from the light emitting element ED so that the light can travel upward can be adjusted. The height of the reflective barrier may be the sum of the thickness of the barrier 522 and the thickness of the second insulating layer 530_ 1. Since the height of the reflective barrier section can be increased, the amount of leakage light from the light emitting element ED can be reduced, and as a result, the luminance of the display device of fig. 18 can be improved.

Fig. 19 is a schematic enlarged layout view of a region a of fig. 2 of a display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and illustrates a relative arrangement of first and second electrodes, first and second contact electrodes, a light emitting element, and a first insulating layer. Fig. 20 is a schematic sectional view of the display apparatus of fig. 19 taken along line XX-XX' of fig. 19.

The display device of fig. 19 and 20 differs from the display device 1 of fig. 6 at least in that: the opening OP _1 included in the first insulating layer 510_1 includes a first opening OP1 exposing at least portions of the first and second electrode bars RMT11 and RMT21 and a second opening OP2 exposing at least portions of the first and second electrode branches RMT12 and RMT 22.

Referring to fig. 19 and 20, the first insulating layer 510_1 may include an opening OP _1, and the opening OP _1 includes a first opening OP1 and a second opening OP 2. In a plan view, the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 exposing portions of the first electrode RMT1 may be integrally formed. Similarly, the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 exposing portions of the second electrode RMT2 may be integrally formed in a plan view. The planar shape of the opening OP _1 may be in accordance with the planar shapes of the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode RMT 2. The opening OP _1 may have a planar shape similar to the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2, and may have a smaller area than the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT 2.

The first opening OP1 may be disposed on the first electrode stem RMT11 of the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode stem RMT21 of the second electrode RMT 2. The first opening OP1 may have substantially the same shape and arrangement as the opening OP of fig. 6.

The second opening OP2 may be branched from the first opening OP 1. The second opening OP2 may expose at least a portion of the first electrode branch RMT12 and at least a portion of the second electrode branch RMT 22.

The first contact electrode stem CTE11 of the first contact electrode CTE1 may be in electrical contact with the portion of the top surface of the first electrode stem RMT11 exposed by the first opening OP 1. Similarly, the second contact electrode stem CTE21 of the second contact electrode CTE2 may be in electrical contact with the portion of the top surface of the second electrode stem RMT21 exposed by the first opening OP 1.

The first contact electrode branch CTE12 of the first contact electrode CTE1 may be in electrical contact with the portion of the top surface of the first electrode branch RMT12 exposed by the second opening OP 2. Similarly, the second contact electrode branch CTE22 of the second contact electrode CTE2 may be in electrical contact with the portion of the top surface of the second electrode branch RMT22 exposed by the second opening OP 2.

The first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE2 may be in electrical contact with portions of the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2 exposed by the first and second openings OP1 and OP 2. Accordingly, the first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE2 may be in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT2 in a region overlapping the first and second holes HA1 and HA 2.

Fig. 21 is a schematic enlarged layout view of a region a of fig. 2 of a display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and illustrates a relative arrangement of first and second electrodes, first and second contact electrodes, a light emitting element, and an insulation pattern. Fig. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display apparatus of fig. 21 taken along line XXII-XXII' of fig. 21.

The display device of fig. 21 and 22 differs from the display device 1 of fig. 5 at least in that: the insulation pattern 520_1 is disposed on the entire surface of the substrate SUB except for the first hole HA1, the second hole HA2, and the third hole HA 3.

Referring to fig. 21 and 22, an insulation pattern 520_1 may be disposed on the entire surface of the substrate SUB and may include holes HA _ 1. The well HA _1 may include a first well HA1, a second well HA2, and a third well HA 3. The arrangement and shape of the first and second apertures HA1 and HA2 may be substantially the same as the arrangement and shape of the first and second apertures HA1 and HA2 of fig. 5.

The third hole HA3 may be disposed to overlap the first electrode stem RMT11 of the first electrode RMT1 and the second electrode stem RMT21 of the second electrode RMT2 in the third direction DR 3. The third hole HA3 may be a hole for providing a contact area where the first and second contact electrodes CTE1 and CTE2 electrically contact the first and second electrodes RMT1 and RMT 2. The third hole HA3 may be disposed to overlap the opening OP included in the first insulating layer 510 in the third direction DR3, and a side surface of the layer where the third hole HA3 is formed may be aligned with a side surface of the first insulating layer 510 where the opening OP is formed.

The insulation pattern 520_1 may include a fixing part 521, a barrier part 522_1, a first region 523, and a second region 524.

The barrier 522_1 may be disposed between the first and second electrode bars RMT11 and RMT21 to surround the light emitting element ED, and may define the first and second holes HA1 and HA2 together with the fixing portion 521. The second region 524 may be disposed on the outer sides of the first and second electrode bars RMT11 and RMT 21. The second region 524 may define a third aperture HA3 together with the barrier 522_ 1.

The first contact electrode stem CTE11 of the first contact electrode CTE1 may be in electrical contact with the first electrode stem RMT11 through the third aperture HA 3. The first contact electrode stem CTE11 may cover the side surface of the second region 524 and the side surface of the barrier 522_1, and may further extend to be disposed even on a portion of the top surface of the barrier 522_ 1. The second contact electrode stem CTE21 of the second contact electrode CTE2 may be in electrical contact with the second electrode stem RMT21 through the third hole HA 3. The second contact electrode stem CTE21 may cover the side surface of the second region 524 and the side surface of the barrier 522_1, and may further extend to be disposed even on a portion of the top surface of the barrier 522_ 1.

Fig. 23 to 25 are schematic enlarged layout views showing a repair operation that can be performed in the case where a defect occurs in the emission region.

Referring to fig. 23, the light emitting elements ED may include a normal light emitting element ED _ G and a defective light emitting element ED _ D. The emission region EMA may include a defect region DTA provided with a defect light emitting element ED _ D. For example, the defective light emitting element ED _ D may be a light emitting element that is short-circuited or that has been defective at the time of manufacturing.

A problem may occur if the defective light emitting element ED _ D is disposed between the first electrode branch RMT12b and the second electrode branch RMT22b of the cell branch. For example, in the case where the defective light emitting element ED _ D is disposed between the first and second electrode branches RMT12b and RMT22b of the cell branch, a current flowing from the first electrode RMT1 to the second electrode RMT2 through the light emitting element ED may not flow through the normal light emitting element ED _ G electrically connected to the first and second electrode branches RMT12a and RMT22a, but may flow through the defective light emitting element ED _ D. Therefore, the normal light emitting element ED _ G may not emit light.

Thereafter, referring to fig. 24, in the case where the display device includes the defect region DTA provided with the defective light emitting element ED _ D in the cell branch, at least one of the first electrode branch RMT12b and the second electrode branch RMT22b in the defect region DTA may be cut such that no current flows in the defective light emitting element ED _ D. For example, the defect may be repaired by cutting an area corresponding to at least one of the cutting lines CL on the first and second electrode branches RMT12b and RMT22 b. The cutting line CL may be laser cut.

Thereafter, referring to fig. 25, in the case where at least one of the first electrode branch RMT12b and the second electrode branch RMT22b is laser cut, the first electrode branch RMT12b may be cut into two separate portions, i.e., a first electrode repairing branch RMT12b _1 and a first pattern RMT12b _ 2. The gap RH between the first electrode repairing branch RMT12b _1 and the first pattern RMT12b _2 may be an area corresponding to the cutting line CL on the first electrode branch RMT12 b.

Similarly, the second electrode branch RMT22b may be cut into two separate portions, i.e., the second electrode repairing branch RMT22b _1 and the second pattern RMT22b _ 2. The gap RH between the second electrode repairing branch RMT22b _1 and the second pattern RMT22b _2 may be an area corresponding to the cutting line CL on the second electrode branch RMT22 b.

At the conclusion of the detailed description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the disclosed preferred embodiments of the invention are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.