Mechanism Of Laser Ablation Research Articles

A composite laser ablation diagnosis method based on multiple spectroscopic and imaging analyses

This study proposes a novel diagnostic approach for target ablation to comprehensively elucidate the physical mechanisms of laser ablation in aluminium alloys and stainless steel, precisely measure sample temperatures, and predict the ablation state. The method utilizes a spatially weighted emissivity model in conjunction with multispectral thermometry techniques to analyze spatial variations in temperature and emissivity distributions, facilitating the evaluation of target ablation status. Through a series of experiments, temperature data obtained using an enhanced weighted radiative spectral inversion technique were compared with temperatures recorded by thermal imaging cameras, confirming the effectiveness and accuracy of the weighted radiative spectral inversion method in multispectral thermometry. Additionally, a detailed examination of laser ablation in aluminium alloys and stainless steel was conducted to elucidate the underlying damage mechanisms. This refined approach establishes a solid groundwork for further investigation into the characteristics and dynamic Evolution of laser-damaged regions.

Simulation and experimental study of femtosecond laser ablation mechanisms of NiCoCrAlY coatings

To enhance the adhesion of turbine blade thermal barrier coating systems using the LST method, a thorough understanding of the ablation mechanism of NiCoCrAlY bond coat material by femtosecond laser systems is essential for producing high-quality textured grooves. This study systematically investigates the ablation mechanisms of NiCoCrAlY material, exploring the effects of laser energy density, laser scanning speed, and the number of laser scans on the ablation of NiCoCrAlY. Numerical simulations based on the two-temperature model were conducted, providing a comprehensive analysis of thermal effects, heat accumulation, and material response during the laser ablation process. The experimental results indicate that 1) the ablation phenomenon caused by heat accumulation becomes evident as the laser energy density increases from 1.948 J/cm2 to 4.521 J/cm2, with the accumulated heat reaching 1525.2 K, leading to distinct melting residues and heat-affected zones on the groove walls. 2) The change in laser scanning speed also affects heat accumulation. Using a laser scanning speed of 800 mm/s results in a high material removal rate, smooth machined walls, and a uniform surface with no significant heat-affected zones. 3) Excessively high numbers of laser scans shift the laser focus to the bottom of the groove. The high concentration of laser energy causes intense localized ablation, forming sharp bases with numerous cracks and melting residues. To achieve efficient and high-quality laser ablation, it is necessary to ensure that the number of scans remains below 40.

CFRTP single-lap adhesive bonding and its mechanical performance enhanced by laser surface treatment: Finite element simulation and experimental validation

The outstanding mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer (CFRTP) have led to its widespread application in many industrial sectors. In response to the engineering challenge of repairing large non-critical CFRTP structural components in situ, an infrared fiber laser surface cleaning technology is proposed to treat the bonding interface and enhance the tensile strength of polypropylene (PP)-based CFRTP single-lap bonded joints. Specifically, through single-factor and orthogonal experiments, the impact of different process parameters on the properties of the bonded joints was identified first. Then, online temperature monitoring was performed to elucidate the laser treatment mechanism of the CFRTP sample interface. Surface morphology of the laser-treated samples further indicates that when the temperature of the sample surface surpasses the resin decomposition temperature with extended holding time, the resin could be removed from the surface more thoroughly. Additionally, a novel three-dimensional woven finite element (FE) model, accounting for anisotropic heat transfer, was established to predict the surface temperature and cleaning quality of CFRTP. The FE model incorporates the anisotropic heat transfer characteristics of carbon fibers, thus accurately simulating the heat transfer behaviors between carbon fibers and the resin matrix. The laser ablation mechanism is elucidated by examining the surface ablation morphologies and peak surface temperatures. A comparison between experimental results and FE simulations demonstrated a notable coherence in the trend of surface morphology variations, with discrepancies in peak surface temperatures ranging from 3.29 % to 24.63 %. The experimental tests proved that the shear strength of single-lap bonded joints reaches its maximum value when the laser power is 35 W, the scanning speed is 2500 mm/s, and the number of scans is four. The enhancement of the mechanical properties of bonded joints can be attributed to the improved wettability and higher surface free energy of the laser-treated samples.

Investigations of the Laser Ablation Mechanism of PMMA Microchannels Using Single-Pass and Multi-Pass Laser Scans.

CO2 laser machining is a cost effective and time saving solution for fabricating microchannels on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Due to the lack of research on the incubation effect and ablation behavior of PMMA under high-power laser irradiation, predictions of the microchannel profile are limited. In this study, the ablation process and mechanism of a continuous CO2 laser machining process on microchannel production in PMMA in single-pass and multi-pass laser scan modes are investigated. It is found that a higher laser energy density of a single pass causes a lower ablation threshold. The ablated surface can be divided into three regions: the ablation zone, the incubation zone, and the virgin zone. The PMMA ablation process is mainly attributed to the thermal decomposition reactions and the splashing of molten polymer. The depth, width, aspect ratio, volume ablation rate, and mass ablation rate of the channel increase as the laser scanning speed decreases and the number of laser scans increases. The differences in ablation results obtained under the same total laser energy density using different scan modes are attributed to the incubation effect, which is caused by the thermal deposition of laser energy in the polymer. Finally, an optimized simulation model that is used to solve the problem of a channel width greater than spot diameter is proposed. The error percentage between the experimental and simulation results varies from 0.44% to 5.9%.

Laser ablation behavior and mechanisms of 3D carbon fiber reinforced ZrB2-SiC composite

The high-performance 3D Cf-PyC/ZrB2-SiC composite was fabricated by vibration-assisted slurry impregnation and low-temperature hot pressing. The composite exhibited superior laser ablation resistance, leading to a low linear loss rate of 1.56×10−2 mm/s at laser power density of 4878 W/cm2 (Power 300 W, Laser beam diameter 2.8 mm) for 90 s. The coupling effect of a dense SiO2 layer in fringe region followed by dense ZrO2 layer in transitional region and next porous ZrO2 layer in center region achieved superior laser ablation resistance.

Investigation of laser-material interaction in picosecond single-point laser ablation of bronze

Comprehending the laser ablation mechanism is fundamental in determining how diverse laser parameters affect the quality of the ablation process. A finite difference model was developed in this study to investigate the ablation depth and temperature distribution in picosecond ablation process. The investigation involved conducting single-point laser experiments on bronze material using an ultrashort pulse laser with a pulse duration of 12 ps. The experiments were carried out with varying numbers of pulses, ranging from 1 to 80 pulses. The calculated depths of ablations were compared with experimental results. The variation of the ablation mechanism on the workpiece's surface during laser radiation was also investigated. The model established the laser-material interaction mechanisms under different incident pulses. The ionization temperature and ablated material temperature during laser processing are also determined. The results show that for the number of pulses higher than 10, the laser-material interaction changes from Multi-Photon Ionization to ablation, while in lower numbers, there are no effects of thermal damages adjacent to the laser points. The relationship between variations in the ablation depth and changes in the incidence angle was also investigated. As the incidence angle increases, the removal mechanism changes from MPI to the thermal.

The Study of Patterns and Mechanisms of Continuous Laser Ablation of Carbon Steel Rust Layers in Multi-Medium Environments

A new multi-scenario, low-cost, high-efficiency, medium-assisted continuous laser cleaning of corrosion layers was developed. By comparing the roughness and cleaning depth of rust layers cleaned under conditions of liquid-assisted, solid-assisted, and mixed solid–liquid-assisted laser cleaning, simultaneously establishing a three-dimensional finite element model to study the variations during the cleaning process, and conducting a comparative analysis of the results of both, the cleaning mechanism is elucidated. The experimental results indicate that under conditions of water-assisted cleaning, the depth of rust layer increases initially and then decreases with varying water layer heights. The maximum cleaning depth is achieved at a water layer height of 0.1 mm, while the optimal surface roughness occurs at a water layer height of 0.2 mm, indicating a change in cleaning mechanism. The cleaning pattern with SiO2 activator assistance follows a similar trend to a water medium, reaching maximum cleaning depth at 0.1 mm height, with a slight improvement in surface roughness compared to water-assisted cleaning. Finally, solid–liquid mixing can achieve cleaning completion and improve surface roughness under conditions where water-assisted cleaning alone fails to reach a clean state. Therefore, the active agent can be used for laser cleaning to promote the cleaning process, and solid–liquid mixing to assist the laser cleaning can be a theoretical guide for the field of laser cleaning.

Laser ablation mechanism and performance of glass fiber-reinforced phenolic composites: An experimental study and dual-scale modelling

Both experimental and simulation approaches were employed to investigate the laser ablation mechanism and performances of Glass Fiber Reinforced Phenolic Composites (GFRP). During the ablation process, the difference in thermal conductivities of the glass fibers and the resin matrix as well as their discrepant physical and chemical reactions form a conical ablation morphology. The formation of a residual carbon layer effectively mitigates the ablation rate in the thickness direction. A higher power density results in a faster ablation rate, while a longer irradiation time leads to a larger ablation pit diameter. To account for the variation in thermal conductivity between the fiber and resin, a macro-mesoscale model was developed to differentiate the matrix from the fiber components. Finite element analysis revealed that laser irradiation leads to phenolic decomposition, glass fiber melting vaporization, and residual carbon skeleton evaporation. The dual-scale model exhibits precise prediction capabilities concerning the laser ablation process of GFRP, and its accuracy is confirmed through the comparison of simulation and experimental results for the GFRP laser ablation process. This model provides a feasible method for performance evaluation and lifetime prediction of GFRP subjected to continuous wave laser irradiation.

The picosecond laser ablation mechanism of monocrystalline silicon by coupling two-temperature model (TTM)-Molecular dynamic (MD)

Monocrystalline silicon is the most widely used material in microchips, microsensors and photovoltaic systems, where ultrashort pulse laser has been applied in grooving and holing. This paper investigates the ablation mechanism of monocrystalline silicon by picosecond laser, where a TTM-MD (Two-temperature model-Molecular dynamics) model was established based on the interaction theory between ultrashort pulse laser and Si. The effects of plasma shielding and surface reflectivity on the laser irradiation energy are investigated to analyze the variation of carrier temperature, lattice temperature and carrier density on the monocrystalline silicon surface. The occurrence of material melting, bubble nucleation and phase explosion are simulated to explore the material removal mechanism and the effect of laser fluence on the ablation behavior. The simulation model was finally verified by the ablation threshold experiments where a high-speed camera was applied to monitor the ablation process.

Laser ablation behavior and mechanism of Cf/C–SiC composites under different laser energy densities

Ceramic matrix composite (CMC) is typical difficult-to-machine material, laser assisted machining (LAM) is an effective method to solve the problem of poor machinability, and a deep understanding of the interaction between laser and material can lay a foundation for LAM. Aiming at the unclear mechanism of microstructure formation, crack propagation and material hardness evolution of laser-irradiated CMC, laser ablation behavior and mechanism of Cf/C–SiC composites under different laser energy densities were studied in this paper. The results show that Cf/C–SiC presents two different states of modification and ablation under irradiating. In modified state, fiber interface in central area is oxidized, and crystal transformation occurs. Amorphous Si–O–C, Si and spherical SiO2 exist in edge deposition area, and continuous phase disappears in heat affected zone. In ablative state, carbon nanosheets and clusters are formed in ablation groove. Surface of convex and deposition area are composed of sedimentary basement and clusters, and there are recast layer and heat affected zone in cross section. When thermal stress exceeds interfacial bond strength and critical matrix stress, the fiber interface debonding and matrix cracking occur, and both transgranular and intergranular fracture exist in the matrix. When laser scanning direction is perpendicular to fiber extension, crack propagation can be inhibited. The propagation and intersection of cracks and coarsening of SiC crystal phase in heat affected zone lead to the decrease of matrix microhardness. The results of this study can be used to provide references for parameters selection and theoretical support for LAM of CMC.

Characterization of batteries materials ablation by femtosecond pulses

The implementation of femtosecond laser processing in batteries fabrication is of high interest for automotive industry. The laser ablation mechanisms of composite materials used for batteries is a key knowledge for the laser processing optimization. In this work, we provide new results on fs ablation efficiencies for materials used in lithium-ion batteries. A very high value is obtained for specific ablation rates of graphite, up to 12 mm3/min/W, while the value is next to 0.2 mm3/min/W for the metallic substrate. The results show less benefit for MHz and GHz bursts of pulses in the case of graphite. Nevertheless because of the huge ablation efficiency difference between the active material and the metallic substrate, electrode cutting time is dominated by the metallic substrate cutting for which a significant benefit of GHz bursts is evidenced.

Damage evolution simulation and laser ablation mechanisms of C/SiC composites under in high-speed airflow environment

Damage evolution simulation and laser ablation mechanisms of C/SiC composites under in high-speed airflow environment

Performance and mechanisms of ultraviolet laser ablation of plain-woven CFRP composites

Plain-woven carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer (CFRP) composites prove advantageous in designing and manufacturing aeronautic and aerospace structures due to their excellent mechanical properties. Their harsh service environment usually leads to aircraft surface pits, scratches, and other types of defects, which result in internal damages that reduce their strength, influencing their safety and reliability. With laser-controlled ablation, surface damage removal was implemented. However, the multiscale characteristics of plain-woven CFRP (macroscopic plain-woven textiles, mesoscopic fiber clusters, together with microscopic fiber and epoxy resin) lead to complex thermal–mechanical ablation action, prone to secondary surface damages and resin residue. Aiming at the requirement of high-performance removal of the damaged zone, a comprehensive investigation of the influence of laser ablation strategies, including the wavelength, defocus distance, scanning speed, hatch distance, scanning passes, etc., on generating morphologies was conducted. Results identified that the severe anisotropy of plain-woven CFRP gained a wide heat-affected zone (HAZ), which was restrained by adopting an ultraviolet (UV) laser ablation means. A high-quality laser ablation zone without visible resin residue and broken carbon fiber has been presented by one-pass laser ablation when a particular scarfing conditions combination was used. Meanwhile, a depth-controlled surface-forming approach was gained, accompanied by multiple laser scanning. Subsequently, a hybrid laser treatment strategy was provided for characteristic structure generation, and a novel stepwise structure was constructed for verification.

High-energy continuous wave laser ablation of alumina ceramic

The development of high-energy continuous wave (CW) laser has enabled the generation of output powers ranging from 300 to 500 kW. Understanding the ablation mechanism of CW lasers at high laser fluence is crucial for the design of effective high-energy laser protection materials. We note that the particle-like impurities present in the protective coating material can induce defects on the ceramic-like target surface during high-energy CW laser ablation, which can alter the laser absorptivity and manifest a completely different ablation mechanism. Here, we systematically investigate the mechanism of high-energy CW laser ablation of alumina ceramic, with a specific focus on the roles of defect induction, energy transfer, and impact sputtering in the dynamic ablation of target. Specifically, the transient processes between high-energy CW laser and ceramic target will be investigated in terms of the evolution results of the ablation region, the microscopic characteristics of the ablated material, the high time-resolved on-line monitoring, and the multiphase hydrodynamics simulation. Finally, the transparent property of molten alumina ceramic to laser is proved to allow for penetrating damage to ceramic-metal composites.

Laser-assisted grinding of RB-SiC composites: Laser ablation behavior and mechanism

Laser ablation is an important process during Laser-Assisted Grinding (LAG) of hard and brittle materials. To realize controllable material removal during laser ablation of RB-SiC composites, ablation experiments under different Laser Energy Density (LAED) and LAG experiments are conducted. Evolution rules and mechanism of physical phase, ablation morphology and crack characteristics caused by laser irradiation are investigated. The forces of LAG and Conventional Grinding (CG) are compared. The results show that ablation surface changes from slight oxidation to obvious material removal with LAED increasing, and ablation depth increases gradually. The ablation products change from submicron SiO2 particles to nanoscale particles and floccule. High LAED promotes SiC decomposition and sublimation, which leads to the increase of C element. The SiC phase forms corrugated shape in recast layer and columnar shape in Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) at 56 J/mm2. The cold and heat cycle leads to formation of fishbone crack. For ablation specimen under 30 J/mm2, the grinding force can be reduced by a maximum of 39% and brittle damage region is reduced. The material removal and microcrack generated will significantly reduce the hardness and improve machinability, which can promote grinding efficiency.

Laser Intensity Effect on Polyyne Synthesis in Liquid Hydrocarbons

Laser synthesis of polyyne molecules C2nH2 (n > 2) in liquid hydrocarbons is a complex process in which intense pulsed radiation decomposes the initial carbon-containing substance (the hydrocarbon solvent itself or the solid carbon particles in a suspension). Notwithstanding the fact that the mechanism of pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) is widely accepted, the effect of the laser parameters on laser-driven polyyne formation is still not understood in detail. Here, we report a study of the polyyne yield as a function of the laser field intensity and exposure dose. Several carbon-containing liquids, including pure n-hexane, pure ethanol, and graphite powder suspended in ethanol, were treated with tightly focused picosecond IR radiation (wavelength of 1064 nm, pulse duration of 10 ps). The synthesis rate was characterized by UV-vis optical absorption spectroscopy. The yields of the polyynes were found to vary in exact accordance with the value of the absorbed laser energy, following specific nonlinear or linear laws. The influence of the laser intensity on the partial concentration of polyynes in the solution was analyzed.

Ablation properties of SiC-reinforced PBI resin matrix composites under high-energy continuous laser ablation

In this work, poly-p-phenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) fibers reinforced polybenzimidazole (PBI) resin-based laser ablation composites (thickness = 5 mm) with different SiC contents were prepared. SiC/PBI/PBO composites exhibited good mechanical properties, excellent thermal stability and laser ablation properties. The laser ablation properties and ablation mechanism of the composites were investigated using a high-energy continuous-wave laser (30 MW·m−2). Increasing the SiC content led to increase in composites density, while decreasing the bending performance of the composites. However, it improves the mass and linear ablation rates, resulting in an overall improvement in ablation properties. At a SiC content of 70 %, the composite exhibited a mass loss of 8.2 %, a mass ablation rate of 9.2 mg·s−1, and a linear ablation rate of 0.11 mm·s−1. The ablation process of SiC/PBI/PBO composites was delineated into pre-ablation and post-ablation stages, with the ablated composites divided into the ablation center, transition region, and outer region based on morphological characteristics. After ablation, numerous white hollow SiO2 spheres and SiO2 protective layers were formed in the ablation centers, the transition regions were deformed and cracked, while the outer region remained unscathed.

Fabrication of CaSiO3 LTCC high aspect ratio microstructure by laser chemical assisted micro-milling

As a new generation of chip-packaging materials, CaSiO3 LTCC substrates have the characteristics of high frequency, low thermal expansion coefficient, and low dielectric loss. These materials are widely used in radar communication and other industries. However, in the condition of high heat density, it is difficult to adapt calcium silicate with a low thermal conductivity to the heat dissipation requirements. To improve the heat dissipation performance, high-aspect-ratio heat-dissipation microchannels must be prepared on the surface of the CaSiO3 LTCC substrate. In this study, a new nanosecond laser and chemical milling-assisted micro-milling (NLCAM) method is proposed. The processing mechanism of the nanosecond laser ablation of CaSiO3 is explored and the influence of the laser parameters on the depth of the etching groove, top width, and hardness of the residual modified layer are studied by establishing a laser energy superposition model and test method. The improvement of milling force and milling surface quality by laser is studied. The results demonstrate that the laser power has the most significant effect on the ablation depth and width of the top of the CaSiO3; the excess heat diffuses outside the laser irradiation area, increasing the width of the top of the CaSiO3 beyond the designed width. With an increase in the scanning speed and scanning distance, the ablation depth exhibited a decreasing trend, corresponding to the laser energy model. Nanosecond laser chemical milling (NLCM) can reduce the hardness of the material by 72.0–77.2%. The maximum reduction in the average axial milling force was 56.8%, and the fluctuation of milling force is reduced. Compared to pure micro milling, the tool wear area of NLCAM was reduced by 89.3% and the average roughness Sa of the bottom surface of the microgroove was reduced to 0.392 μm, which confirms the high-quality and efficient machining of the CaSiO3 LTCC substrate.

Evolution of local surface roughness in 193 nm ArF excimer laser ablation of ground Yb:YAG crystal

The surface quality of YAG crystals plays a decisive role in the output performance of the device. In this investigation, it was found that the surface quality of Yb:YAG crystal was improved by 193 nm ArF excimer laser ablation. The influence of laser energy density and pulse numbers on the surface roughness of Yb:YAG crystal was obtained. The possible laser ablation mechanism of YAG crystal was analyzed by thermal conduction and photodissociation theory. Surface profile analyses reveal that photochemical ablation was the dominant mechanism of material removal.

Study of the Effect of Laser Radiation Parameters on the Efficiency of Lithotripsy

In this article, we report on experimental studies of the influence of several laser radiation parameters, such as the duration of the laser pulse, the radiation wavelength, and the pulse energy, on the efficiency of the destruction of urinary calculi. The study used a laser lithotripter based on a fiber Tm laser generating at a wavelength of 1940 nm with pulses with a duration of about 1800 μs and pulse energy of up to 6 J, as well as a femtosecond solid-state Yb laser generating at a wavelength of 1032 nm with a pulse duration of about 250 fs and pulse energy of up to 400 μJ. A comparative analysis was carried out according to such criteria as the productivity of lasers when removing a unit mass of images and the amount of sample displacement resulting from the retropulsion effect. The results obtained in this work demonstrated that the femtosecond laser loses approximately two times its efficiency in terms of sample material removal. However, this shows the absolute advantage of the photoionization mechanism of femtosecond laser ablation in the study of retropulsion and thermal heating, which were completely absent in this case.