Reliability Strategies for a-IGZO Thin-Film Transistors Under Stress Environments
摘要
Amorphous indium–gallium–zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) have attracted significant attention as promising driving devices for next-generation organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays owing to their high electron mobility (>10 cm²/V·s), wide bandgap transparency, and compatibility with low-temperature fabrication processes (~400 °C). Despite these advantages, a-IGZO TFTs suffer from pronounced electrical instabilities when subjected to prolonged electrical, thermal, and optical stresses, leading to threshold voltage (Vth) shifts, carrier mobility degradation, and deterioration of subthreshold swing. Such instabilities ultimately limit operational lifetime and hinder uniform luminance control in high-resolution OLED panels. In this study, we systematically investigate the fundamental degradation mechanisms governing device instability, including defect generation, charge trapping at the dielectric–channel interface, and photo-induced ionization processes. Based on these insights, we propose comprehensive reliability-enhancement strategies through material engineering, process optimization, and structural design. The effectiveness of each approach is comparatively analyzed to highlight their impact on long-term device performance, providing practical guidelines for achieving stable, high-performance oxide TFTs for OLED display applications.
Graphical Abstract