High-speed and high-resolution 3D printing of polycrystalline neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet ceramics

Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) ceramics are extensively used as lasing media. However, limitations in traditional fabrication methods, such as long timescale and difficult structural customization, restrict its potential for advanced applications. Herein, we successfully fabricate Nd: YAG ceramics with customized 3D structures by micro-continuous liquid interface printing at a speed of 10 μm·s–1 and a resolution of 5.8 μm·pixel–1 followed by post-sintering. For the optical properties, photoluminescent spectra and emission images show that the sintered parts photoluminesce at 1064 nm. In summary, this new approach provided a potential solution for faster prototyping of customized lasing media.