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Enhanced drilling using a dual-pulse Nd:YAG laser

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Abstract.

A new method for improving the efficiency of laser drilling has been developed. Two synchronized free-running laser pulses from a tandem-head Nd:YAG laser are capable of drilling through 1/8-in-thick stainless-steel targets at a stand-off distance of 1 m without gas-assist. The combination of a high-energy laser pulse for melting with a properly tailored high-intensity laser pulse for liquid expulsion results in the efficient drilling of metal targets. We argue that the improvement in drilling is due to the recoil pressure generated by rapid evaporation of the molten material by the second laser pulse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Amherst, NY 14260, USA, , , , , , US

    C. Lehane

  2. Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, P.R. China, , , , , , CN

    H.S. Kwok

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  1. C. Lehane
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  2. H.S. Kwok
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Received: 29 August 2000 / Accepted: 18 December 2000 / Published online: 3 April 2001

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Lehane, C., Kwok, H. Enhanced drilling using a dual-pulse Nd:YAG laser . Appl Phys A 73, 45–48 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003390100819

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003390100819

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