J. Eur. Opt. Society-Rapid Publ. 22, 22( 2026) 219
Figure
7. Mountain projection with Chinese characters, Wuyishan, China, July 2025( source: authors).
Figure 8. Water curtain projection at Sijiaojing, Liancheng, China, June 2025( source: authors).
curtain exceeds 20 m and its width is between 30 and 60 m. After startup, the water screen projection can present striking 3D stereoscopic and spatial visual effects, as shown in Figure 8. When the audience enjoys this projection effect, the fan-shaped water curtain blends naturally with the night sky. The characters in the image seem to be soaring or landing from above, creating an ethereal and immersive experience. This technology is innovative and distinctive in effect, suitable for advertising and promotion, and ideal for large-scale festivals, open public squares and theme parks, etc. [ 46 ]
The deployment of water curtain projection technology is subject to multiple constraints. First, the image quality shows high sensitivity to ambient illumination, with visibility significantly degrading under daylight conditions, thereby restricting applicability to low-lux or nocturnal environments. Second, the technology demonstrates a hydrophilic dependency, making locations with natural water bodies( e. g., lakes, rivers) or artificially-hydrated indoor / outdoor venues. Third, the dispersion of atomized water droplets may cause discomfort and clothing dampness for audiences. Fourth, the capacity of water pumps restricts the size of the water curtain, directly limiting the display area and performance duration. Fifth, the imaging system exhibits optical performance limitations, such as low resolution, limited luminous intensity, and susceptibility to interference from ambient lighting( see Fig. 8). Finally, the constrained viewing angles reduce the number of optimal viewing spots.
Fog curtain projection technology shares a similar technical principle with water curtain projection by utilizing particles in the fog medium, as carriers to create an illusory