Processes for effecting thermal transfer of electroactive organic material
are disclosed wherein unwanted portions of a layer of electroactive
organic material supported by a donor element are removed or transferred
from the layer by thermal transfer, particularly laser-induced thermal
transfer, leaving a desired pattern of the electroactive organic material
on the donor element. The electroactive organic material may be an
organic material exhibiting electroluminescence, charge transport, charge
injection, electrical conductivity, semiconductivity and/or exciton
blocking. The layer of electroactive organic material may comprise more
than one layer of different types of electroactive organic material. The
exposure pattern is a negative image of the desired pattern. The
electroactive organic material of the desired pattern is not, therefore,
exposed to the heat which can cause decomposition. The desired pattern of
electroactive organic material may then be gently transferred from the
donor element to a desired substrate by lamination, for example, without
damaging the electroactive organic material. The substrate may be used to
form organic electronic devices, such as light emitting displays,
photodetectors and photovoltaic cells. Donor elements for use in the
processes are also disclosed.