Time-resolved imaging of hydrogel printing via laser-induced forward transfer

In this work, the printing mechanism of an alginate-based hydrogel via laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) is investigated by spatial and temporal high-resolved stroboscopic imaging. First, the generation of the liquid jet is studied at two different laser fluences in a process without collector slide. Furthermore, the impingement process onto the collector slide at the same fluence levels is observed. With the help of these images the development of the jet is explained. Besides the influences of the collector slide as well as the applied laser fluence on the transfer are demonstrated.