'Nano-pixels' promise thin, flexible high-res displays by phase-change films

University of Oxford reports - A new discovery will make it possible to create pixels just a few hundred nanometres across that could pave the way for extremely high-resolution and low-energy thin, flexible displays for applications such as 'smart' glasses, synthetic retinas, and foldable screens.

 

 

 

Still images drawn with the technology: at around 70 micrometres across each image is smaller than the width of a human hair. (Source, University of Oxford)
 
A team led by Oxford University scientists explored the link between the electrical and optical properties of phase change materials (materials that can change from an amorphous to a crystalline state). They found that by sandwiching a seven nanometre thick layer of a phase change material (GST) between two layers of a transparent electrode they could use a tiny current to 'draw' images within the sandwich 'stack'.

Initially still images were created using an atomic force microscope but the team went on to demonstrate that such tiny 'stacks' can be turned into prototype pixel-like devices. These 'nano-pixels' – just 300 by 300 nanometres in size – can be electrically switched 'on and off' at will, creating the coloured dots that would form the building blocks of an extremely high-resolution display technology.

 

Schematic representation of the thin-film material stack comprising ITO/GST/ITO.

Continue reading:  http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2014-07-10-nano-pixels-promise-thin-flexible-high-res-displays# and a report of the research has been published in this week's Nature.

Also EE Times has more on this story here.