Temperature dependence of electron mobility, electroluminescence and photoluminescence of Alq₃ in OLED

The correlation of electroluminescence (EL), photoluminescence (PL) and electron mobility were investigated over temperature from 60 to 300 K in small-molecule organic light emitting diode (OLED) structures. The devices consisted of ITO/PEDOT(50 nm)/TPD(50 nm)/Alq₃(60 nm)/LiF(1 nm)/Al(90 nm), and were fabricated with high-vacuum sublimation/evaporation in a cross-linked configuration. Electron mobility was measured using an ac analysis of the device optical modulation characteristics, while PL and EL were measured by measuring optical power out at fixed pump power of 1 mW, and analysis of dc brightness-voltage (L-V) characteristics, respectively. PL intensity and mobility had a clear maximum at around 220 K, while EL efficiency was constant below 220 K and decrease monotonically above. The reason for the temperature dependent EL, PL and electron mobility behaviour will be discussed.