Method and apparatus for optimizing the efficiency and quality of laser material processing
Abstract
The efficiency of laser welding and other laser material processing is optimized according to this invention by rotating the plane of polarization of a linearly polarized laser beam in relation to a work piece of the material being processed simultaneously and in synchronization with steering the laser beam over the work piece so as to keep the plane of polarization parallel to either the plane of incidence or the direction of travel of the beam in relation to the work piece. Also, depending to some extent on the particular processing being accomplished, such as welding or fusing, the angle of incidence of the laser beam on the work piece is kept at or near the polarizing or Brewster's angle. The combination of maintaining the plane of polarization parallel to plane of incidence while also maintaining the angle of incidence at or near the polarizing or Brewster's angle results in only minimal, if any, reflection losses during laser welding. Also, coordinating rotation of the plane of polarization with the translation or steering of a work piece under a laser cutting beam maximizes efficiency and kerf geometry, regardless of the direction of cut. 7 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 7021675
- Patent Number(s):
- 4908493
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-200252
- Assignee:
- Midwest Research Inst., Kansas City, MO (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10093
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 31 May 1988
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; LASER RADIATION; BEAM SHAPING; MATERIALS; LASER BEAM MACHINING; LASER WELDING; INCIDENCE ANGLE; OPTIMIZATION; POLARIZATION; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; FABRICATION; JOINING; MACHINING; RADIATIONS; WELDING; 360101* - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication; 360201 - Ceramics, Cermets, & Refractories- Preparation & Fabrication; 360601 - Other Materials- Preparation & Manufacture
Citation Formats
Susemihl, I. Method and apparatus for optimizing the efficiency and quality of laser material processing. United States: N. p., 1990.
Web.
Susemihl, I. Method and apparatus for optimizing the efficiency and quality of laser material processing. United States.
Susemihl, I. Tue .
"Method and apparatus for optimizing the efficiency and quality of laser material processing". United States.
@article{osti_7021675,
title = {Method and apparatus for optimizing the efficiency and quality of laser material processing},
author = {Susemihl, I},
abstractNote = {The efficiency of laser welding and other laser material processing is optimized according to this invention by rotating the plane of polarization of a linearly polarized laser beam in relation to a work piece of the material being processed simultaneously and in synchronization with steering the laser beam over the work piece so as to keep the plane of polarization parallel to either the plane of incidence or the direction of travel of the beam in relation to the work piece. Also, depending to some extent on the particular processing being accomplished, such as welding or fusing, the angle of incidence of the laser beam on the work piece is kept at or near the polarizing or Brewster's angle. The combination of maintaining the plane of polarization parallel to plane of incidence while also maintaining the angle of incidence at or near the polarizing or Brewster's angle results in only minimal, if any, reflection losses during laser welding. Also, coordinating rotation of the plane of polarization with the translation or steering of a work piece under a laser cutting beam maximizes efficiency and kerf geometry, regardless of the direction of cut. 7 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 13 00:00:00 EST 1990},
month = {Tue Mar 13 00:00:00 EST 1990}
}