Creating Volumetric 3D Displays in Glass

New research uses rare-earth-doped glasses to overcome the limitations of existing 3D imaging systems. The study develops glass materials doped with rare-earth ions—holmium (Ho), thulium (Tm), neodymium (Nd), and ytterbium (Yb)—that emit red, green, and blue light when excited by specific laser wavelengths. These materials allow for tunable, high-purity color emissions to construct dynamic three-dimensional images directly within the glass. In simpler terms, the researchers have created a type of special glass that, when illuminated with lasers, can display vivid 3D visuals without the need for glasses or external screens, effectively transforming the glass itself into a display.

(a) Shapes are created by mapping them onto a grid and entering their coordinates into software. (b) Two waveform generators are used to control mirrors and adjust laser settings like frequency, pulse width, and power to create the images. (c) Photos show color images formed in the glass: a red circle (left) with continuous 980 nm laser, a green bird (middle) with pulsed 980 nm laser, and a blue cat (right) with continuous 808 nm laser. (d) A diagram explains how the images are made, alongside side views of a green cube and cylinder created in the glass under pulsed 980 nm laser, shown in both light and darkness. (Source: Yildiz Technical University)

By using dual-laser excitation at 808 nm and 980 nm wavelengths, the researchers achieved full-color emission by optimizing energy transfer between the rare-earth ions within the glass matrix. This approach enables the display of RGB colors through a carefully tuned interaction of light and material properties, addressing previous challenges like insufficient color tunability or the need for complex multilayer structures. The system allows for the generation of intricate images, including animations such as rotating objects or moving shapes, making the display versatile and engaging.

Researchers achieved a color gamut covering 79.88% of the standard RGB spectrum. While slightly less than systems using three laser sources, the simplicity and scalability of the material design offer practical advantages. The incorporation of neodymium ions significantly improves blue emission, a prior limitation in similar systems.

According to the researchers, their glass-based approach is scalable and produces high-quality visuals. It has the potential for use in areas like education, medicine, and design.

Reference

Ekim, U., Özkutay, D., Çelikbilek Ersundu, M. et al. Full-color dynamic volumetric displays with tunable upconversion emission from RE³⁺-doped glasses (RE = Ho, Tm, Nd, Yb) under NIR laser excitation. Light Sci Appl 14, 15 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-024-01672-2

Creating Volumetric 3D Displays in Glass

Reference

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