Product Code: ICAL09_M208

High Quality Machining of Non-Metals with a Picosecond Laser
Authors:
B.R. Campbell, Penn State Electro-Optics Center; Freeport PA USA
J. A. Moore, Penn State Electro-Optics Center; Freeport PA USA
T. M. Lehecka, Penn State Electro-Optics Center; Freeport PA USA
J. G. Thomas, Penn State Electro-Optics Center; Freeport PA USA
V. V. Semak, Penn State Electro-Optics Center; Freeport PA USA
Presented at ICALEO 2009

Using a commercial picosecond laser system, experiments were performed to cleanly machine non-metals and measure material removal rates. The laser was operated at 532 and 355 nm using a unique pulse format and a galvo scanner to translate the beam. The test materials include quartz, sapphire, alumina ceramic, polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®) and silicon. The material removal is reported as both a depth per pass of the beam at a particular speed, and also a volumetric removal as a function of time. Scanning electron microscope pictures reveal the laser parameters that leave the sharpest edges, with minimal melt and debris. This material is based upon work supported by the Office of Naval Research; contract number N00014-05-D-0275, Delivery Order 0007. Any opinions, findings and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Naval Research