A bilayer is used as an electrode for organic electroluminescent devices. The bilayer consists of an ultrathin LiF layer adjacent to an electron-transporting layer and an aluminum outerlayer. Devices with the bilayer electrode showed enhanced electron injection and high electroluminescence efficiency as compared with aMg0.9Ag0.1cathode. Similar effects were observed when replacing MgO for LiF. The improvements are attributed to band bending of the organic layer in contact with the dielectrics. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.