Laser drilling at large standoff distances using dual pulse Nd laser Available to Purchase

A new method which improves the laser drilling efficiency and allows for drilling at large laser-target standoff distances has been developed. A dual pulse laser was found to be capable of penetrating stainless steel targets with a thickness greater than 1/4” at standoff distances of 1 meter. The standoff distance is defined by the distance between the focusing lens and the target. The dual pulse laser produced two free-running laser pulses from a single Nd:glass or Nd:YAG laser head driven by integrated power supplies. The output consisted of the combination of a high energy, long duration pulse (pulse 1) with a high peak power laser pulse (pulse 2) fired at the end of pulse 1. Pulse 1 is used to produce a large molten pool of liquid which is expelled by the vapor recoil pressure generated by the interaction of the high intensity pulse 2 with the metal.