Effects of improved beam quality of a low diffraction laser beam on laser material removal processes are experimentally investigated in a polymeric material. The experimental results are in agreement with theoretical predictions. The results show that the low diffraction beam has marked advantages over the Gaussian beam in ablation-dominated material removal processes in terms of larger depth and smaller taper at the same average power level.

Issue Section:
Technical Briefs
Keywords:
laser beam machining, polymers, manufacturing processes, laser beams
Topics:
Diffraction, Laser beams, Ablation (Vaporization technology)
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 by ASME
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