OTI Lumionics’ OLED display materials to support smartphone biometrics reach mass production

OTI Lumionics will start mass production of its ConducTorr Cathode Patterning Material (CPM), with shipping orders to reach display customers by the end of the year for implementation with under-display cameras to support device unlocking with face biometrics, the company announced.

Device manufacturers aim to satisfy customer demand for innovative solutions that include larger screens and smaller bezels, but also a partially transparent display to optimize the front camera and 3D facial recognition sensors, the company points out in an announcement. Devices embedded with OTI’s CPM materials should reach the market some time in 2021.

“The challenge in making under display camera and face unlock work is that the cathode layer, a thin layer of metal that covers the entire surface of the display, absorbs a lot of light, particularly in the wavelength range required for the face unlock sensors to function,” said Michael Helander, co-founder and CEO of OTI Lumionics, in a prepared statement. “Our ConducTorr CPM materials are the only mass production-ready solution to pattern microscopic holes in the cathode to let enough light through for the under-display camera and face unlock to function well.”

To develop its solution for cathode patterning, OTI Lumionics has partnered with top industry manufacturers. The company has also secured an investment from LG Technology Ventures that will be used to drive commercial deployment and large-scale production.

In addition to biometric facial recognition, ConducTorr CPM can also be leveraged for augmented reality displays, laptop, tablet and foldable device displays, and high brightness displays with longer battery life, according to the announcement.

“Under display cameras and other applications of transparent display technology have all seen tremendous interest from mobile device manufacturers in the past few years,” added Helander. “Our goal is to work closely with our customers to bring the next generation of exciting mobile devices using these technologies to market faster.”

OTI is showcasing ConducTorr CPM at the SID Technical Symposium and SID/DSCC Business Conference during Display Week 2020.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  cathode patterning material  |  facial recognition  |  mobile device  |  OLED  |  OTI Lumionics  |  research and development  |  smartphones  |  under display