2012 LTPS and IGZO Panels Will Rapidly Grow 150%

According to the explosive growth of NPD DisplaySearch smartphones and tablets, the production of high-resolution display technologies such as LTPS (low temperature polysilicon technology) and IGZO (non-crystalline oxide semiconductor technology consisting of indium gallium zinc oxide) is even more important. These TFT technologies use high-moving-rate semiconductor materials to reduce TFT dimensions and improve light transmission. LCD panels with a resolution of more than 230 pixels per inch (230 PPI), such as Apple's Retina Display, have high light transmittance to minimize power consumption and allow portable devices to be used for long periods of time without recharging.

According to the NPD DisplaySearch TFT LCD Process Roadmap Report, high-speed TFT-LCD backplane production is expected to increase by 150% in 2012, rapidly growing from 5.6 million square meters in 2011 to 11,000. Ten thousand square meters. The driving force for such high growth is that many fifth-generation lines and larger low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) production lines were put into production in 2012, and Sharp, Lejin Display and Samsung's existing production lines are also producing metal oxides (IGZO). ).

“Smart phones, tablet PCs and cost reduction will become the key drivers for the rapid development of the flat panel display industry in 2012.” Charles Annis, research vice president of manufacturing at NPD DisplaySearch, said, “Because of the pressure of flat panel display profit, panel makers are shifting into rapid development. The development of portable applications, and actively seek various strategies to reduce costs.Therefore, the use of high moving speed material backplanes, optical alignment (optical alignment), high resolution exposure technology (high resolution lithography) and advanced liquid crystal modules The combination is expected to become the most important production technology next year."

All the techniques are how to increase the light transmittance of the panel. In general, only 4-9% of the backlight can pass through to the front-end display, which will require a high-intensity light source in order to achieve the brightness index. In addition, the backlight module is a relatively high-cost single component in the large-size liquid crystal module. Therefore, by increasing the light transmittance, panel makers can reduce energy consumption and costs.

"Manufacturers are looking for really good new technologies that can improve light penetration without reducing yield. Panel makers and their suppliers are all working hard to develop production technologies and strive to gain competitive advantage to increase profits in 2012." Annis added, " At present, technologies such as metal oxides (IGZO) can, on the one hand, improve panel performance on the one hand, and reduce costs, which will enable panel makers to obtain a high degree of competitive advantage. This will have the opportunity to become the new standard for future flat panel display industry manufacturing.”

NPD DisplaySearch has newly released the TFT LCD Process Roadmap Report, which provides a unique and in-depth analysis of FPD's new production technology. The report conducts technical discussions based on the manufacturing process, analyzes the process flow and the manufacturer's adoption of new technologies, and forecasts the future applications of 57 production technologies and analyzes the corresponding advantages, opportunities, and challenges. At the same time, the report also made an analysis and prediction of the current performance indicators of LCD monitors by 2016.