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OnBoard Technology April 2005 - page 34 www.Onboard-Technology.com
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The broad use of polymers in the PCB industry is a well-known fact. The family of materials which includes resins, underfillers, dielectrics, as well as filling, bonding, encapsulating, coating and moulding compounds is an important part of the world of elec-tronics assembly, packaging, hybrid integrated circuits, multi-chip mod-ules and lately also of microsystems. But today new polymers and innova-tive products based on organic materi-als are being used ever more often in advanced electronics, telecommuni-cations, high-speed information pro-cessing and multimedia sectors. The following is a brief overview of some these materials.
Organic light emitting diodes
Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) are growing in popularity in the high-end electronics panorama. OLED displays are entering into applica-tions such as mobile phones and car dashboards, and it is likely that the main applications will continue to be in the personal electronics market. But OLED displays are getting bigger: the Japanese firm Seiko Epson, for example, showcased a 1.016 m colour OLED TV - the first in the world, ac-cording to the company.
New terms for new technologies Other terms - such as “organic elec-tronics” and “polytronics” - are also becoming important in the areas of base materials, electronic devices and systems containing organic semicon-ductors. They relate to technologies that are introducing radical changes electronics. Leading European Re-search institutions such as the Fraun-hofer Institute, Germany, and IMEC, Belgium, are promoting research proj-ects. Such projects focus, for example,
on OLED and organic laser lighting ap-plications, electronic circuits based on organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) and organic solar cells (OSCs). Future applications such as smart cards and smart labels, pixel drivers for active matrix electrophoretic and liquid crys-tal displays (LCDs), future power sup-plies for autonomous systems and, in the long term, generation of energy in large quantities. IMEC has focused re-search on developing a technology for pentacene thin-film transistors (TFTs) and circuits, choosing a material for a reproducible TFT process. Organic light emitting diodes, thin-film or-ganic lasers, organic injection lasers as well as polymer solar cells designed to improve the energy conversion effi-ciency are also part of IMEC’s research programs.
Polytronics
Under the term “polytronics”, the Fraunhofer Institute groups its activi-
ties associated with the development, system integration and application of active and passive components based on organic materials. New polytronic materials with semiconductive, con-ductive and sensing properties rep-resent new opportunities for design-ers involved in electro-optical circuit boards (EOCBs) (Figure 1), and ac-tive smart cards and labels. Polymer displays also represent an innovative concept, with the replacement of glass substrates by flexible foils, encapsu-lation of liquid crystals in polymers, and the use of electroluminescent materials. Polytronic materials also encompass electrochrome polymers and enable the variation of diffractive properties.
Energy conversion and storage are also a key part of Fraunhofer’s re-search plan, for example micro-fuel cells based on polymer electrolyte membranes. Wafer-level processing, patterning and metallisation technol-ogies are adapted from microelectron-ics for use in these applications.
Hybrid organic-inorganic polymers
One class of innovative materials with outstanding properties are the so called Ormocers, a registered trade-mark of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. This family of materials is composed of hy-brid organic-inorganic polymers and was developed at the Fraunhofer-In-stitute for Silicate Research (FhI-ISC) in Würzburg, Germany. Oligomers having an inorganic core and nano-meter dimensions are synthesised from organically modified alkoxilanes. Their organic functional groups can be cross-linked afterwards, for exam-ple by lithographic processes.
These new materials promise to be the basis for volume production of a broad range of advanced PCBs and electron-ic, optical and opto-electronic devices.
Organic Electronics And Polytronics
by Divo Mari
Figure 1 - SEM micrograph of a poly-mer waveguide and cross section of an EOCB (Fraunhofer Institure)
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OnBoard Technology April 2005 - page 35www.Onboard-Technology.com
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Due to their unique organic-inorganic network, the physical, chemical and optical properties of Ormocers (hard-ness included) can be tailored to val-ues between those of inorganic ce-ramics or glasses and those of organic polymers. Low-loss characteristics are combined with low curing tem-perature (80 to 170°C), which make Ormocers compatible with the equip-ment and processes of conventional materials.
Applications in micro-optics include micro-lenses, prisms, gratings, com-plete monitor modules for VCSELs and laser-to-fiber couplers. It is a common opinion that the new fam-ily of materials is offering Europe a
significant advantage in key markets such as telecommunications, high-speed information processing and multimedia, allowing low-cost solu-tions for high-volume production of components and modules.
Manufacturing electro-optical PCBs
Optical waveguides, used for example as substrates of opto-electronic devices or for advanced printed circuit boards in telecom applications (the so called EOCBs, electro-optical circuit boards) can also be manufactured using Or-mocers. An outstanding feature of the material is the possibility to change its refractive index within a wide range of
values, in order to adapt it to applica-tion-specific demands. Photo imaging as well as UV imprinting technologies can be used to produce the circuit pat-tern. The resolution is limited only by the manufacturing equipment.
The need for cooperation
For the new technological sectors mentioned above, where evolution is a common feature, very strong interdis-ciplinary cooperation and exchange of knowledge among all parties involved are required to promote initiatives, support the R&D effort and pave the way towards industrial and commer-cial applications.
Today, the world of broadband communications requires high speeds and reliable performance. Omron Electronic Components is using its know-how in Fine Electro-Mechanical Component technology (FEMC) in combination with its actuator technologies such as Super Moving Loop and Electrostatic Micro-Machined Relays (MMR), to manufacture innovative optical network communication devices for high-speed broadband communications.
Optical Network Solutions
UK-based Bookham Technology and Swiss-based Colibrys (a supplier of standard and innovative MEMS products, tilting mirror arrays, etc.) have established a comple-mentary relationship to realise variable op-tical attenuator modules based on MEMS structures. For this scope, Bookham has designed three-dimensional MEMS with micro-shutters which produces optical attenuation based on analog con-trol. The blocks can be integrated into modules, for example to create dynamic transmitters and receivers. A MEMS die that embodies the Bookham design has been produced by Colibrys. Through singulation, compatibility with current pick-and-place semiconductor systems has
Optical MEMS for Telecom
been achieved in order to produce minia-turised. low-cost and low power-consum-ing components in large volumes, in line with the requirements of the telecommu-nication industry. According to the two partners, the new family of miniaturised optical devices opens up strategic opportu-
nities, accelerating the growth and evolution of next gener-ation electro-optical technologies for telecom applications.
ColibrysTel. +41 32 720 [email protected]
According to Omron, the key to its new range of optical network components is the production in large volumes of the Micro Lens Array (MLA), using formable compact or composite plastic lenses, to provide precision coupling in single-mode or multi-mode configurations. Omron states that its type P1S18, 1x8 Optical Switch is one of the smallest available in the market today. At the heart of the device is a linear actuator coupled to an aligned prism. According to the manufacturer, the switch, is ideal for use in Optical Add and Drop Multiplex circuits (OADM) and for checking network lines.
Omron Electronic Components EuropeTel. +31 23 568 [email protected]/ocb
