LG, Samsung show see-through OLED displays

At the currently ongoing FPD International 2009 in Japan, LG Display and Samsung Mobile Display have shown off two see-through OLED prototype displays. Either display replaces the backing with transparent material, allowing viewers to see what's behind the display with black backgrounds. This is achieved thanks to translucent materials used for the positive and negative electrodes. Both displays are also sandwiched between plates of transparent material.

Samsung's example is a small 2-inch transparent OLED display with a mirror placed behind it that shows that the back of the display also displays an image. Intended for cellphones, the display is just 176x220 but is relatively bright at 300cd/m2 for its top brightness and 100cd/m2 at a minimum. It allows about 30 percent of light through the screen.

LG's display lets in a similar percentage of light but is larger, at 15 inches, and is meant for use in public places. The company also had an LED-backlit 47-inch HDTV that's less than a quarter-inch thick (5.9mm) on display at the show.

Neither LG nor Samsung have announced any plans for commercializing their translucent displays. [via Tech-On and Akihabara]

Samsung's 2-inch transparent OLED display

LG's 15-inch transparent OLED display

By Electronista Staff