274
S. Papazoglou and I. Zergioti
LEP
Light Emitting Polymer
LIBT
Laser-Induced Backward Transfer
LIFT
Laser-Induced Forward Transfer
MAPLE
Matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation
NMP
N methylpyrrolidone
NPs
Nanoparticles
OLEDs
Organic Light-Emitting Diodes
OTFTs
Organic Thin-Film Transistors
PEN
Polyethylene naphthalate
SAW
Surface-Acoustic Wave
TIN-LIFT Thermal-Induced Nozzle
TP
Triazene polymers
VCSEL
Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers
9.1 Introduction
Recent advancements in organic, inorganic, and flexible electronics have spurred the
interest of both the research and the industrial community during the last years since
new processes have been developed focusing on the time and cost-effective fabrication of electronic devices. Since device footprint and integration complexity are
essential parts of modern technologies, high resolution, selective, and rapid manufacturing techniques are key-enabling factors. Among the main approaches used for
the deposition of high quality and functional materials, laser printing has been widely
employed owing to its unique characteristics such as the high spatial resolution of the
printed features, the versatility of the technique regarding the number of materials that
can be transferred, and the non-contact and non-destructive nature of the deposition
[1]. In addition, contrary to other deposition methods such as ink-jet printing, LIFT
does not suffer from inherent drawbacks like nozzle clogging and it may be applied
for the transfer of liquids with viscosities ranging between 1 and 200.000 mPa s
[2]. This chapter focuses on the Laser-Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) technique
which is a direct laser printing technique with the aim to present the history as well
as latest results-achievements on the application level. Fundamental theory of the
technique and experimental results will be also presented in an effort to provide a
complete overview for the reader. The last part of the chapter will be devoted to the
recent application of the technique on the 3D printing of materials and the evolution
of LIFT towards additive manufacturing and industrial exploitation.
S. Papazoglou and I. Zergioti
LEP
Light Emitting Polymer
LIBT
Laser-Induced Backward Transfer
LIFT
Laser-Induced Forward Transfer
MAPLE
Matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation
NMP
N methylpyrrolidone
NPs
Nanoparticles
OLEDs
Organic Light-Emitting Diodes
OTFTs
Organic Thin-Film Transistors
PEN
Polyethylene naphthalate
SAW
Surface-Acoustic Wave
TIN-LIFT Thermal-Induced Nozzle
TP
Triazene polymers
VCSEL
Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers
9.1 Introduction
Recent advancements in organic, inorganic, and flexible electronics have spurred the
interest of both the research and the industrial community during the last years since
new processes have been developed focusing on the time and cost-effective fabrication of electronic devices. Since device footprint and integration complexity are
essential parts of modern technologies, high resolution, selective, and rapid manufacturing techniques are key-enabling factors. Among the main approaches used for
the deposition of high quality and functional materials, laser printing has been widely
employed owing to its unique characteristics such as the high spatial resolution of the
printed features, the versatility of the technique regarding the number of materials that
can be transferred, and the non-contact and non-destructive nature of the deposition
[1]. In addition, contrary to other deposition methods such as ink-jet printing, LIFT
does not suffer from inherent drawbacks like nozzle clogging and it may be applied
for the transfer of liquids with viscosities ranging between 1 and 200.000 mPa s
[2]. This chapter focuses on the Laser-Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) technique
which is a direct laser printing technique with the aim to present the history as well
as latest results-achievements on the application level. Fundamental theory of the
technique and experimental results will be also presented in an effort to provide a
complete overview for the reader. The last part of the chapter will be devoted to the
recent application of the technique on the 3D printing of materials and the evolution
of LIFT towards additive manufacturing and industrial exploitation.