MLA, a Brighter and Wider Light Technology | Experience | OLED SPACE

Dr. Yang is looking at the 3rd Genenration OLED META Technology display with his arms crossed.

MLA

MLA, a Brighter and Wider Light Technology

Hee Jung Yang, Senior Research Engineer of MLA TDR

May 11, 2023

Have you ever seen the eyes of a dragonfly up close?
Like the insect that sees nearly 360 degrees of the world around them through millions of compound eyes,
would it be possible for a display’s viewing angle to become so much wider?
And could the brightness level, fundamental to a display, be improved at the same time?

This contemplation was at the very

beginning of

MLA technology.

This contemplation

was at the very

beginning of

MLA technology.

Dr. Yang is smiling and discussing something about META Technology applied MLA with his team members.

Two OLED displays with META Technology are placed behind Dr. Yang.

A Fortunate

Developer

I recently made a graph of what I have experienced professionally thus far. To summarize, I gained experience as a display process and materials expert for a while, but recently I’m working as a leader that oversees technology development and its application to mass production. I consider myself a fortunate developer because I was able to experience many fields.

I am currently working in the process technology development field, where I propose elemental technology needed for new OLED products and speed up the process by deducing the requirements for mass production management when the technology is validated.

Nowadays, I am focusing on MLA technology development to enhance efficiency. It’s not enough that we’ve succeeded in mass-producing MLAs; we also need ways to increase efficiency. That is why we are continuously inspecting the features of panels, generating new ideas to expand MLA-applied products, and continually validating feasibility.

The Title of

“World’s First”

Last year, we were at the MLA mass production and model expansion stage, where 24 hours were not enough on a hectic day. The result was a resounding success, so I felt so proud.

We developed a process and established the infrastructure needed to mass produce MLA and applied it to large-sized TVs for the first time in the world, and the response was overwhelming when we announced it at CES 2023. It was a valuable experience for me because I could see the immediate response at the heart of the tech scene.

MLA, the Core of OLED

Just two years after announcing the 2nd Gen OLED Technology, we introduced the 3rd Gen OLED META Technology, leading people to mistakenly think that technology had advanced during that short time frame. In truth, the 3rd Gen MLA technology has been under preparation separately from the 2nd Gen Technology for a long time. Years of preparation made the impossible possible and something that seemed surreal into reality.

The core of the 3rd Gen OLED META Technology is MLA, i.e., Micro Lens Array. The light generated within the panels should emit in the direction of the viewers, but until now, we have been viewing screens with only 20% due to lost light. However, the newly developed MLA places the lenses at every 4 micrometers where the light emits and transmits the light toward the viewers, enhancing efficiency. The principle is similar to that of a fluorescent lampshade or a lantern.

Thanks to this technology, our customers can also experience high-quality images regardless of their location or viewing angle.

MLA,

the Core of OLED

Thanks to this technology, our customers can also experience high-quality images regardless of their location or viewing angle.

“Expanding Natural Reality

Beyond
Your Senses.”

Panels Brighter by 60%

Presenting the highest maximum luminance among existing OLEDs, the brightness level reaches up to 2,100 nits for accurate and vivid picture quality.

It is comparing the brightness of conventional OLED and the 3rd Generation OLED META Technology through a image with bright lights in the forest.

30% Wider Viewing Angle

By realizing the widest viewing angle among existing OLEDs at 160 degrees, viewers can enjoy perfect images at any angle.

From Concept to

Innovation

There was something different about MLA, even from the concept stage.

Every technology needs time to decide on a concept before development, and we’ve invested an immense amount of time in this stage.

After a prolonged discussion, we decided on a technological concept that produces the form factor within the panel in order to maintain the current panel process and maximize efficiency.
We made this decision because the production of micro lenses without adding a separate layer in the TFT manufacturing stage is suitable for the future progression of the product. By doing this, we also felt that the MLA technology could be standardized and applied to all our products.

Dr. Yang is discussing about MLA technology with his team members.

42.4 billion Lenses

without a Single Error

In the mass production stage, a product is viable only if the lens’ form factor is optimized for efficiency and made uniformly.

Based on a 77-inch 4K model, a total of 42.4 billion lenses are used.
These 42.4 billion lenses must not carry a single error in order to create one product.

We also needed a process to meet all conditions, including methods to manage form factors or burn-ins. Upon reminiscing, the most challenging part was to secure process stability and reproducibility based on these foundations. That’s probably why it took ten years, from research to testing to mass production.

Dr. Yang is discussing MLA technology with team members resting his chin in his hands.

The pendulum motion weight image is clearly visible on the META Technology OLED display.

The thin thickness of the META Technology OLED display is presented.

A Technology

for Society and the Environment

The MLA technology that leads to enhanced light extraction efficiency will significantly change our lives.
Luminance is the fundamental factor of a TV with good image quality, so there is always a customer need for enhanced brightness. Therefore, the brighter screen enabled by the brightness-enhanced MLA technology is enough to satisfy customers.
Above all, viewers can enjoy superior picture quality at any angle at their homes, and even in the display sector where advertisement information is conveyed, the screen displays accurate and detailed images without distortion or viewing-angle issues, communicating effectively with customers.

It is outstanding in terms of power consumption, as well.
Due to increased efficiency, we get the same level of efficiency even with lower power than before, making it eco-friendly. As I’ve mentioned before, because we have maximized efficiency while maintaining the current process technology, there’s no need for a separate layer in the TFT manufacturing stage. Therefore, we can naturally prevent energy price hikes.