JLA Vol:23 Iss:1 (Review of laser microscale processing of silicon carbide)

Authors:
B. Pecholt
S. Gupta
P. Molian
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory for Lasers, MEMS and Nanotechnology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011

A review of various laser techniques for microscale processing of SiC for microelectronics and microelectromechanical-system applications is presented. SiC is an excellent material for harsh environments due to its outstanding mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. However, its extreme thermodynamic stability and inert properties created difficulties in conventional microfabrication methods which provided an opportunity for the exploration of laser processing as an alternative. Many aspects...

JLA Vol:7 Iss:3 (Characterization of chromium bearing surface alloys produced by laser alloying on low carbon steel substrates)

Authors:
G. L. Goswami
Dilip Kumar
A. L. Pappachan
A. K. Grover
K. Sridhar
Array

High‐chromium ferritic alloys were produced on mild steel substrates by laser surface alloying. For this, chromium‐plated mild steel samples were treated with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser (300 W maximum power) by varying the average power level from 21.6 W to 30.0 W. The chromium content of the surface alloys was in the range of 3.0–27.0 wt%, with fairly uniform depth of alloying. Microscopy showed very fine austenite needles within elongated/equiaxed ferrite grains in the laser‐alloyed zone (LAZ). X‐ray diffraction indi...

JLA Vol:15 Iss:4 (Laser–material interaction and process sensing in underwater Nd:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser welding)

Authors:
Xudong Zhang
Wuzhu Chen
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Eiji Ashida
Fukuhisa Matsuda
Tarasaki R&D Center, JAPEIC, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki 312-0003, Japan

Laser–material interaction and process sensing technology for local-dry underwater Nd:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser beam welding were studied. The optical emissions induced by laser–water interaction were detected with an infrared (IR) optical sensor and observed with a charge coupled device camera. It was found that under laser irradiation, a kind of water–vapor plasma formed immediately above the ...

JLA Vol:20 Iss:1 (Practical and theoretical investigations into inert gas cutting of 304 stainless steel using a high brightness fiber laser)

Authors:
Martin Sparkes
Markus Gross
Steven Celotto
Tao Zhang
William O’Neill
Centre for Industrial Photonics, Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, United Kingdom

A 2.2 kW fiber laser was used in a series of inert cutting trials on stainless steels of section thicknesses in the range of 6–10 mm. Variations in the cutting performance with changing gas pressure, focal position, and nozzle diameter were investigated. Results showed the difficulties associated in cutting with high brightness lasers, specifically in obtaining full melt eject through narr...

JLA Vol:1 Iss:2 (Summary of Laser Plume Effects and Safety Session)

Authors:
Richard P. Felten
Senior Chemist, Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration

JLA Vol:9 Iss:6 (Scaling laws for thick‐section cutting with a chemical oxygen–iodine laser)

Authors:
A. Kar
J. A. Rothenflue
W. P. Latham

Almost all laser‐assisted materials processing involves melting, vaporization and plasma formation which affect the utilization of laser energy for materials processing. To account for the effect of these phases, an effective absorptivity is defined, and a simple mathematical model is developed for the cutting of thick‐section stainless steel using a high power chemical oxygen—iodine laser (COIL). The model is based on an overall energy balance, and it relates the cutting depth with various process parameters that can be used to predictively scale the laser materials processing performance to ...

JLA Vol:3 Iss:3 (Safety of Medical Excimer Lasers with an Emphasis on Compressed Gases)

Authors:
David H. Sliney
Laser Microwave Division, US Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010‐5422

Terrance N. Clapham
VISX, Inc., 919 Kifer Road, Santa Clara, CA 94086

Excimer lasers which emit short ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are currently being used in experimental and developmental surgical applications. Although UVR exposure is possible, it is not normal in laser angioplasty (cardiovascular surgery) and is insignificant in photokera‐toplasty (ophthalmic surgery). However, significant potential hazards exist with the use of excimer laser gases such as fluorine and HCI. Stringent safeguards for handling and use are ...

JLA Vol:14 Iss:2 (Human behavioral factors in laser safety)

Authors:
Rick Mannix
Environmental Health & Safety Office, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-2725

While training, engineering controls, warning signs/systems, and protective eyewear are emphasized in laser safety programs, laser-related accidents do occur in facilities without obvious deficiencies in those areas. Problems still occur because of insufficient attention to administrative safety issues directly related to human nature and behavioral factors. Common safety problems associated with behavioral factors are discussed. Personal experiences of the author, including lessons learned, are included. The issues are discussed within the context of laser safety, bu...

JLA Vol:18 Iss:3 (Modified dual-beam method for welding galvanized steel sheets in lap configuration)

Authors:
M. M. S. Gualini
S. Iqbal
Faculty of Applied Sciences, International I University, Islamabad, Pakistan

F. Grassi
Convergent Prima Industrie, Collegno (Turin), Italy

The dual laser beams method to lap weld galvanized steel sheets is being discussed, modeled, and analyzed, involving a precursor beam and a higher-power actual beam used in tandem and generated independently or otherwise split from the same source (Nd:yttrium-aluminum-garnet or CO₂ laser). The first beam cuts a slot, thus making an exit path for the zinc vapors, while the second beam welds as required. The article also presents and discusses some experiments performed ...

JLA Vol:24 Iss:2 (Laser dressing of metal bonded diamond blades for cutting of hard brittle materials)

Authors:
Philipp von Witzendorff
Anas Moalem
Rainer Kling
Ludger Overmeyer
Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V., Hollerithallee 8, 30419 Hannover, Germany

In this study, the authors investigate the laser dressing of metal bonded diamond blades by means of laser pulses with different pulse durations and wavelengths. Conventional dressing suffers from excessive blade wear, whereas laser dressing enables precise removal of the bonding metal to generate the required chip space of protruding diamond grains. The challenge for processing this composite material is to find appropriate level of ablation for the bonding metal without damaging the diamond grains thr...