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By using ion assisted deposition to produce a high-density, pinhole-free thin silicon oxynitride film on an organic light emitting diode surface, the resultant reduces moisture intrusion and increases the OLED lifetime.

Manufacturers now seal displays in an inert atmosphere or in a vacuum environment. They glue a glass lid on top of the display substrate with a powder inside the display to absorb moisture that diffuses through the glue. These seals are expensive and labor-intensive to assemble.

With funding from GTRI's independent research and development program, the researchers have replaced the glass enclosure with a thin-film barrier formed by a less expensive conventional deposition method.