Volumetric cloud display

Displays based on light-scattering points are promising for realizing color volumetric images in real-world spaces. However, it remains challenging to generate refreshable scattering points directly for volumetric image rendering. In this study, we propose a volumetric display system using clouds formed via femtosecond-laser-induced condensation. These clouds are locally generated by focusing a femtosecond laser into an ethanol-supersaturated vapor within a cloud chamber. Our “volumetric cloud display,” which synchronously scans both femtosecond and RGB lasers to generate and illuminate clouds, successfully demonstrated color and refreshable volumetric image rendering. Furthermore, we observed unique cloud shapes extending perpendicular to the laser propagation axis using a high-speed camera system. Our approach provides a perspective toward realizing displays that allow images to coexist with humans in the real world.