Researchers have created a new type of glass that can display full-color 3D images visible from multiple angles, without requiring special eyewear. The research demonstrates a practical approach to creating volumetric displays – systems that generate images within a three-dimensional space rather than on a flat screen.
The team used tellurite glass infused with four rare-earth elements: holmium, thulium, ytterbium, and neodymium. When targeted by specific laser patterns, these elements emit red, green, and blue light. By controlling the timing and power of different laser beams, the researchers can generate images that appear to float within the glass volume.
The system uses three laser configurations: a continuous 980-nanometer laser produces red light, a pulsed version of the same laser creates green, and an 808-nanometer laser generates blue.
What sets this approach apart is its relative simplicity. Unlike previous attempts at volumetric displays that required complex manufacturing processes, this system uses a single piece of glass that could be produced using standard industrial methods. The researchers suggest potential applications in education, where teachers could display 3D molecular models, or in architecture, where designers could integrate interactive information panels into buildings.
The technology still faces certain limitations. The team notes that achieving optimal color quality requires careful control over the proportions of rare-earth elements to prevent unwanted interactions between them. The blue component of the display also needs improvement, and work continues on refining the control of color emissions.
This development comes as traditional flat-panel display technology approaches certain physical limits. While commercial applications may be some years away, this research provides a new direction for display technology – one that moves beyond conventional screens toward true three-dimensional visualization.
Reference
Zhu, Y., & Deng, R. (2025). Colour triad in rare-earth doped glass: A step toward volumetric displays. Light: Science & Applications, 14(1), 84. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01763-8
