OLED self luminescent displays feature superb video image response times and stunningly vivid color reproduction. Sony has striven to enhance functionality even further with "Super Top Emission" technology, which has been integrated into the panel for Sony's new OLED TV "XEL-1." The following provides a look at the basic OLED principles and introduces Super Top Emission.
Basic OLED Principles
Fundamental Structure of OLED
OLED stands for Organic Light-emitting Diode and is based on a process whereby electrical energy is converted into light. Solar cells, for example, absorb light and generate electricity, but with OLED the exact opposite occurs. OLED displays are based on component devices containing organic electroluminescent material that emits light when stimulated by electricity.
An OLED component device consists of several layers of organic electroluminescent film with each layer measuring a mere 100nm. These layers are sandwiched between two electrodes. The electrodes create a flow of electrons and electron holes. These electrons and electron holes flow to the emissive layer (EML) inside the films and recombine. This activates the organic electroluminescent material in the EML to emit light. These OLED component devices are marked by high contrast, rapid response, a fully sealed structure and wide viewing angle.
Light-Emitting Mechanism
The organic electroluminescent film consists of HTL (Hole Transport Layer) + EML(Emissive Layer)+ ETL (Electron Transport Layer.) Two electrodes are placed on either side of the film. Voltage is applied to these electrodes and they send electrons (from the cathode) and electron holes (from the anode) into the organic electroluminescent film 
. The electrons and electron holes recombine in the presence of the EML's light-emitting molecules 
, and light is emitted 
.
The term OLED(Organic Light-emitting Diode)is used because electric current generates light and because it features typical diode properties and relationships of voltage and electric current.
