Laser-metal Interaction Research Articles

Studies of Laser-Metal Interactions using a Coupled Laser-SEM System

With the advent of new high-power laser systems and the increasing variety of scientific, commercial, and military applications, a more detailed understanding of laser-metal interactions is required. Of particular importance are the induced surface damage, plasma-plume diagnostics, shockwave initiation, and internal structural damage during high-power pulsed laser loading.In the present program, a Cambridge scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been modified to accept a focused laser beam into the sample cavity. An external high voltage relay, triggered from the frame generator at the start of the laser pulse, provides a finite time lag of 50 to 100 milliseconds before the onset of framing.