Experimental studies of high-average-power pulsed CO2-laser-induced thermomechanical processes

Manfred Hugenschmidt

doi:10.1117/12.20555

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1 October 1990 Experimental studies of high-average-power pulsed CO2-laser-induced thermomechanical processes

Manfred Hugenschmidt

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Proceedings Volume 1276, CO2 Lasers and Applications II; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.20555
Event: The International Congress on Optical Science and Engineering, 1990, The Hague, Netherlands

Abstract

Pulsed high average power C02-lasers allow for a most efficient conversion of coherent IR-laser radiation into thermal and mechanical energies. This paper is concerned with investigations using a specially developed repetitively pulsed high energy C02-laser. This powerful device provides mean powers of several kW and peak powers of the individual pulses in the multi-MW range. Studies were performed to obtain information on the transient behaviour of the fast energy transfer mechanisms that occur at peak power densities near or above the surface plasma ignition thresholds. As shown, these plasma waves are periodically building up, expanding and recombining during the short time intervals between subsequent pulses, even in case of the highest repetition rates that are presently limited to 100 Hz. Besides the efficient thermal energy transfer through plasma-enhanced thermal coupling mechanisms, the simultaneously induced mechanical pressure waves are providing an additional impulsive loading of the targets. These pressures were investigated by using PVDF gauges. The experiments reveal that these effects too are responsible for improvements, concerning the energy balance, in most manufacturing processes such as in cutting or in drilling, where these fast thermo-mechanically coupled processes, for example, contribute to increase the mass removal rates.

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Manfred Hugenschmidt "Experimental studies of high-average-power pulsed CO2-laser-induced thermomechanical processes", Proc. SPIE 1276, CO2 Lasers and Applications II, (1 October 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.20555

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