Rapid volumetric 3D printing has been a long-standing challenge in various fields, including engineering, photonics, and biology. Traditional methods often suffer from trade-offs between resolution and build rate, limiting their efficiency and flexibility. Here, we propose a novel method called digital incoherent synthesis of holographic light fields (DISH), which enables high-speed, high-resolution volumetric printing of complex structures within 0.6 seconds.
Our approach employs a rotating periscope with a long-working-distance objective lens to deliver high-resolution projections of precisely controlled light fields at a rotation speed of up to 10 rotations per second. We use a digital micromirror device (DMD) to rapidly generate optimized patterns, which are then synthesized using an iterative algorithm to produce high-resolution holographic light fields.
The key advantages of DISH include its ability to achieve high-resolution printing across large depth ranges, fast build rates, and compatibility with various materials. We demonstrate the feasibility of DISH by printing diverse structures, including complex geometries, soft biomaterials, and rigid structures, using a range of viscosities.
Our experimental results show that DISH can produce high-resolution prints with features as small as 12 μm, demonstrating its potential for applications in high-throughput drug screening, bioprinting, photonics, and engineering. The method is also adaptable to different materials, including hydrogels, resins, and elastic materials.
The proposed design of single-side illumination enables in situ printing but introduces the missing-cone problem, which can be addressed by changing the mechanical design of the periscope. The system’s sensitivity to errors such as misalignment and aberrations is mitigated by an adaptive-optics-based calibration method, ensuring accurate 3D intensity distributions.
This work paves the way for rapid volumetric 3D printing with high precision, opening up new possibilities in various fields. By developing a more efficient and flexible 3D printing technology, we can create complex structures with improved resolution and build rates, driving innovation in materials science, engineering, and biomedical research.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10114-5