YAG-slab laser cutting performance

Thomas C. Sidler; Juerg Steffen

doi:10.1117/12.20588

1 August 1990 YAG-slab laser cutting performance

Thomas C. Sidler, Juerg Steffen

Proceedings Volume 1277, High-Power Solid State Lasers and Applications; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.20588
Event: The International Congress on Optical Science and Engineering, 1990, The Hague, Netherlands

Abstract

The application of YAG-SLAB lasers operating in fundamental and low order mode to metal cutting has been investigated. The high beam quality and the relative insensitivity of the beam shape to average power variations make slab lasers strong candidates for high precision cutting applications. The advantage of very fine focusability (focused beam diameters down to 30,um) and high intensity (100 MW/cm2) for cutting applications are shown. Three limiting factors are derived for high quality cutting : The threshold intensity for efficient laser beam absorption, the depth of focus of the laser beam and the limited aspect ratio (cutting thickness to kerf width ratio) achievable by material removal. Experimental results of stainless steel cutting with fundamental and low order mode beams are given for material thicknesses of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. The cuts show kerf widths of 35im (aspect ratios of 21:1) and roughness values of Ra 1.6 pm for 0.8 mm thick steel samples.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas C. Sidler and Juerg Steffen "YAG-slab laser cutting performance", Proc. SPIE 1277, High-Power Solid State Lasers and Applications, (1 August 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.20588

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