A mechanically flexible and environmentally stable organic electroluminescent
("EL")
device with directional light emission comprises an organic EL member disposed
on a flexible substrate, a surface of which is coated with a multilayer barrier
coating which includes at least one sublayer of a substantially transparent organic
polymer and at least one sublayer of a substantially transparent inorganic material.
The device includes a reflective metal layer disposed on the organic EL member
opposite to the substrate. The reflective metal layer provides an increased external
quantum efficiency of the device. The reflective metal layer and the multilayer
barrier coating form a seal around the organic EL member to reduce the degradation
of the device due to environmental elements.
