Studying the effect of high-viscosity material properties on print quality using laser-induced forward transfer

Abstract

A laser-induced forward transfer method that allows ejecting high-viscosity inks at a bubble ring pressure is presented. In this study, we clarify the transmittance and viscosity properties of donor materials that significantly affect the print quality. A nanosecond laser with a wavelength of 532 nm irradiates the donor in a ring shape. The relationship between the donor viscosity and print quality is analyzed, and optimal fluence is highly correlated with donor viscosity at a shear stress of 1000 Pa. A donor layer with a transmittance of 10% or less exhibits good droplet quality. When the transmittance of the donor layer is higher, backside fluence (BsF) will increase, resulting in mist and satellites. The BsF indicates that it is an important parameter for achieving droplet quality. These findings suggest that it is possible to develop a printing system using high-viscosity inks.