Laser materials processing applications at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

R. Steven Hargrove; Ernest P. Dragon; Richard P. Hackel; Douglas D. Kautz; Bruce E. Warner

doi:10.1117/12.145504

28 May 1993 Laser materials processing applications at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

R. Steven Hargrove, Ernest P. Dragon, Richard P. Hackel, Douglas D. Kautz, Bruce E. Warner

Proceedings Volume 1859, Laser Isotope Separation; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.145504
Event: OE/LASE'93: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Scienceand Engineering, 1993, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Copper and dye laser systems are currently being developed at LLNL for uranium enrichment production facilities. The goals of this program are to develop low-cost, reliable and maintainable industrial laser systems. Chains of copper lasers currently operate at more than 1.5 kW output and achieve mean time between failures of more than 1000 hours. The beam quality of copper vapor lasers is approximately three times the diffraction limit. Dye lasers have near diffraction limited beam quality at greater than 1.0 kW. Diode laser pumped, Nd:YAG slab lasers are also being developed at LLNL. Current designs achieve powers of greater than 1.0 kW and projected beam quality is in the two to five times diffraction limited range. Results from cutting and drilling studies in titanium and stainless steel alloys show that cuts and holes with extremely fine features can be made with dye and copper-vapor lasers. High radiance beams produce low distortion and small heat-affected zones. We have accomplished very high aspect ratio holes in drilling tests (> 60:1) and features with micron scale (5 - 50 micrometers ) sizes.

Citation Download Citation

R. Steven Hargrove, Ernest P. Dragon, Richard P. Hackel, Douglas D. Kautz, and Bruce E. Warner "Laser materials processing applications at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory", Proc. SPIE 1859, Laser Isotope Separation, (28 May 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.145504

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available