Laser-induced forward transfer is a direct-write process suitable for high precision 3D printing of several materials. However, the driving forces related to the ejection mechanism of the donor ma-terial are still under debate. To gain further insights into the ejection dynamics, this article presents results of a series of imaging experiments of the release process of nanosecond LIFT of a 200 nm thick gold donor layer. Images were obtained using a setup which consists of two dual-shutter cam-eras. Both cameras were combined with a 50× long-distance microscope and used to capture coaxial and side-view images of the ejection process. Bright field illumination of the scene was accom-plished by a 6 ns dual-cavity laser source. For laser fluence just above the transfer threshold of 140 mJ/cm2 , the formation of a jet and the subsequent release of a single droplet is observed. The drop-let diameter is estimated to be about 2 μm. For laser fluences above 400 mJ/cm2 the formation and rupture of a blistering bubble is observed, which ultimately leads to an undesirable ejection of mul-tiple droplets
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