High performance micromachining of sapphire by laser induced plasma assisted ablation(LIPAA)using GHz burst mode femtosecond pulses

GHz burst-mode femtosecond(fs)laser,which emits a series of pulse trains with extremely short intervals of several hundred picoseconds,provides distinct characteristics in materials processing as compared with the conventional irradiation scheme of fs laser(single-pulse mode).In this paper,we take advantage of the moderate pulse interval of 205 ps(4.88 GHz)in the burst pulse for high-quality and high-efficiency micromachining of single crystalline sapphire by laser induced plasma assisted ablation(LIPAA).Specifically,the preceding pulses in the burst generate plasma by ablation of copper placed behind the sapphire substrate,which interacts with the subsequent pulses to induce ablation at the rear surface of sapphire substrates.As a result,not only the ablation quality but also the ablation efficiency and the fabrication resolution are greatly improved compared to the other schemes including single-pulse mode fs laser direct ablation,single-pulse mode fs-LIPAA,and nanosecond-LIPAA.

Experimental investigation for temperature and emissivity by flame emission spectrum in a cavity of rocket based combined cycle combustor chamber

Flame temperature and spectral emissivity were the important parameters characterizing the sufficient degree of fuel combustion and the particle radiative characteristics in the Rocket Based Combined Cycle(RBCC)combustor.To investigate the combustion characteristics of the complex supersonic flame in the RBCC combustor,a new radiation thermometry combined with Levenberg-Marquardt(LM)algorithm and the least squares method was proposed to measure the temperature,emissivity and spectral radiative properties based on the flame emission spectrum.In-situ measurements of the flame temperature,emissivity and spectral radiative properties were carried out in the RBCC direct-connected test bench with laser-induced plasma combustion enhancement(LIPCE)and without LIPCE.The flame average temperatures at fuel global equivalence ratio(a)of 1.0b and 0.6 with LIPCE were 4.51%and 2.08%higher than those without LIPCE.The flame combustion oscillation of kerosene tended to be stable in the recirculation zone of cavity with the thermal and chemical effects of laser induced plasma.The differences of flame temperature at a=1.0b and 0.6 were 503 K and 523 K with LIPCE,which were 20.07%and42.64%lower than those without LIPCE.The flame emissivity with methane assisted ignition was 80.46%lower than that without methane assisted ignition,due to the carbon-hydrogen ratio of kerosene was higher than that of methane.The spectral emissivities at 600 nm with LIPCE were 1.25%,22.2%,and 4.22%lower than those without LIPCE at a=1.0a(with methane assisted ignition),1.0b(without methane assisted ignition)and 0.6.The effect of concentration in the emissivity was removed by normalization to analyze the flame radiative properties in the RBCC combustor chamber.The maximum differences of flame normalized emissivity were 50.91%without LIPCE and 27.53%with LIPCE.The flame radiative properties were stabilized under the thermal and chemical effects of laser induced plasma at a=0.6.

Heavy Metal Detection in Soils by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Using Hemispherical Spatial Confinement

Spatial confinement has great potential for Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy （LIBS） instruments after it has been proven that it has the ability to enhance the LIBS signal strength and repeatability. In order to achieve in-situ measurement of heavy metals in farmland soils by LIBS, a hemispherical spatial confinement device is designed and used to collect plasma spectra, in which the optical fibers directly collect the breakdown spectroscopy of the soil samples. This device could effectively increase the stability of the spectrum intensity of soil. It also has other advantages, such as ease of installation, and its small and compact size. The relationship between the spectrum intensity and the laser pulse energy is studied for this device. It is found that the breakdown threshold is 160 cm-2, and when the laser fluence increases to 250 J/cm2, the spectrum intensity reaches its maximum. Four different kinds of laser pulse energy were set up and in each case the limits of detection of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were calculated. The results show that when the laser pulse fluence was 2.12 GW/cm2, we obtained the smallest limits of detection of these heavy metals, which are all under 10 mg/kg. This device can satisfy the needs of heavy metal in-situ detection, and in the next step it will be integrated into a portable LIBS instrument.

Spectral Enhancement of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy in External Magnetic Field

In this paper the spectral enhancement of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy （LIBS） for copper plasma in the presence of a magnetic field is investigated and the temporal- and spatial-resolved plasma emission spectra are analyzed. Experimental results show that the copper plasma atomic and ion spectra have been enhanced in the presence of the external magnetic field. In addition, the Cu I 521.82 nm spectral intensity evolution with delay time appears to have a double peak around the delay time of 2 μs, but that of Cu II 507.57 nm has a sharp decrease because of the electron-atom three body recombination process. The plasma temperature with magnetic confinement is lower than that of the case in the absence of magnetic fields. Finally, the spectral enhancement mechanisms of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy with magnetic confinement are analyzed.

Spectral Characteristics of Laser-Induced Graphite Plasma in Ambient Air

An experimental setup of laser-induced graphite plasma was built and the spectral characteristics and properties of graphite plasma were studied. From the temporal behavior of graphite plasma, the duration of CN partials （B2 ∑＋ →-X2 ∑＋） emission was two times longer than that of atomic carbon, and all intensities reached the maximum during the early stage from 0.2 μs to 0.8 μs. The electron temperature decreased from 11807 K to 8755 K, the vibration temperature decreased from 8973 K to 6472 K, and the rotational temperature decreased from 7288 K to 4491 K with the delay time, respectively. The effect of the laser energy was also studied, and it was found that the thresholds and spectral characteristics of CN molecular and C atomic spectroscopy presented great differences. At lower laser energies, the electron excited temperature, the electron density, the vibrational temperature and rotational temperature of CN partials increased rapidly. At higher laser energies, the increasing of electron excited temperature and electron density slow down, and the vibrational temperature and rotational temperature even trend to saturation due to plasma shielding and dissociation of CN molecules. The relationship among the three kinds of temperatures was Telec〉Tvib〉Trot at the same time. The electron density of the graphite plasma was in the order of 1017 cm-3 and 1018 cm-3.

Laser-induced plasma electron number density:Stark broadening method versus the Saha-Boltzmann equation

We report spectroscopic studies on plasma electron number density of laser-induced plasma produced by ns-Nd：YAG laser light pulses on an aluminum sample in air at atmospheric pressure. The effect of different laser energy and the effect of different laser wavelengths were compared. The experimentally observed line profiles of neutral aluminum have been used to extract the excitation temperature using the Boltzmann plot method, whereas the electron number density has been determined from the Stark broadened as well as using the Saha-Boltzmann equation （SBE）. Each approach was also carried out by using the AI emission line and Mg emission lines. It was observed that the,SBE method generated a little higher electron number density value than the Stark broadening, method, but within the experimental uncertainty range. Comparisons of Ne determined by the two methods show the presence of a linear relation which is independent of laser energy or laser wavelength. These results show the applicability of the SBE method for Are determination, especially when the system does not have any pure emission lines whose electron impact factor is known, Also use of Mg lines gives superior results than Al lines.

Laser induced fluorescence diagnostic for velocity distribution functions:applications,physics,methods and developments

With more than 30 years of development,laser-induced fluorescence(LIF)is becoming an increasingly common diagnostic to measure ion and neutral velocity distribution functions in different fields of studies in plasma science including Hall thrusters,linear devices,plasma processing,and basic plasma physical processes.In this paper,technical methods used in the LIF diagnostic,including modulation,collection optics,and wavelength calibration techniques are reviewed in detail.A few basic physical processes along with applications and future development associated with the LIF diagnostics are also reviewed.

Mechanism of micro-waviness induced KH_2PO_4 crystal laser damage and the corresponding vibration source

The low laser induced damage threshold of the KH2PO4 crystal seriously restricts the output power of inertial confinement fusion.The micro-waviness on the KH2PO4 surface processed by single point diamond turning has a significant influence on the damage threshold.In this paper,the influence of micro-waviness on the damage threshold of the KH2PO4 crystal and the chief sources introducing the micro-waviness are analysed based on the combination of the Fourier modal theory and the power spectrum density method.Research results indicate that among the sub-wavinesses with different characteristic spatial frequencies there exists the most dangerous frequency which greatly reduces the damage threshold,although it may not occupy the largest proportion in the original surface.The experimental damage threshold is basically consistent with the theoretical calculation.For the processing parameters used,the leading frequency of micro-waviness which causes the damage threshold to decrease is between 350-1 μm-1 and 30-1 μm-1,especially between 90-1 μm-1 and 200-1 μm-1.Based on the classification study of the time frequencies of microwaviness,we find that the axial vibration of the spindle is the chief source introducing the micro-waviness,nearly all the leading frequencies are related to the practical spindle frequency（about 6.68 Hz,400 r/min） and a special middle frequency（between 1.029 Hz and 1.143 Hz）.

Three-dimensionalization via control of laser-structuring parameters for high energy and high power lithium-ion battery under various operating con ditions

Laser-structuring is an effective method to promote ion diffusion and improve the performance of lithium-ion battery(LIB)electrodes.In this work,the effects of laser structuring parameters(groove pitch and depth)on the fundamental characteristics of LIB electrode,such as interfacial area,internal resistances,material loss and electrochemical performance,are investigated,LiNi_(0.5)Co_(0.2)Mn_(0.3)O_(2) cathodes were structured by a femtosecond laser by varying groove depth and pitch,which resulted in a material loss of 5%-14%and an increase of 140%-260%in the in terfacial area between electrode surface and electrolyte.It is shown that the importance of groove depth and pitch on the electrochemical performance(specific capacity and areal discharge capacity)of laser-structured electrode varies with current rates.Groove pitch is more im porta nt at low current rate but groove depth is at high curre nt rate.From the mapping of lithium concentration within the electrodes of varying groove depth and pitch by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy,it is verified that the groove functions as a diffusion path for lithium ions.The ionic,electronic,and charge transfer resistances measured with symmetric and half cells showed that these internal resistances are differently affected by laser structuring parameters and the changes in porosity,ionic diffusion and electronic pathways.It is demonstrated that the laser structuring parameters for maximum electrode performance and minimum capacity loss should be determined in consideration of the main operating conditions of LIBs.

Time-resolved evaluation of uranium plasma in different atmospheres by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

This work reports spectroscopic studies of uranium containing plasma generated in air and argon environments. The 532 nm Q-switched Nd：YAG laser generates the optical breakdown plasma, which was recorded by a spectrometer and an intensified charge coupled device having a resolution of 25 pm. Neutral and ionized uranium lines in the wavelength range of 385.8-391.9 nm indicate significant width and shift variations during the first few microseconds. Electron temperature and density of the plasma are determined using the Boltzmann plot and the Saha-Boltzmann equation at various time delay. The study reveals the power law decay pattern of electron temperature and density, which changes to exponential decay pattern if large gate- width is used to acquire the signal, due to an averaging effect.

Application of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy in Early Detection of Red Palm Weevil:(Rhynchophorus ferrugineus)Infestation in Date Palm

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the leading date producing countries. Unfortunately, this important fruit crop is under great threat from the red palm weevil （RPW） （Rhynchophorus ferrugineus）, which is a highly invasive pest. Several techniques, including visual inspection, acoustic sensors, sniffer dogs, and pheromone traps have been tried to detect the early stages of a RPW infestation; however, each method has suffered certain logistical and implementation issues. We have applied laser induced breakdown spectroscopy （LIBS） for the early detection of RPW infestation. Through the analysis of the observed LIBS spectra of different infested and healthy samples, we have found presence of Ca, Mg, Na, C, K elements and OH, CN molecules. The spectra also reveal that with the population growth of the pest, the intensity of Mg and Ca atomic lines in LIBS spectra increases rapidly. Similar behavior is observed in the molecular lines of LIBS spectra. The obtained results indicate that the LIBS technique can be used for the early detection of RPW infestation without damaging the date palms.

Quantitative Analysis of Cr in Milk Powder by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy( LIBS)

At present, heavy metal pollution in food occurs frequently, which requires a novel method for rapid detection. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy （LIBS） is a new technique for rapid and environmental friendly detection, but it lacks high sensitivity and stability which restrict its development. In this study, Cr-polluted infant milk powder was used as experimental material to explore the feasibility of the application of LIBS technique in food safety detection. Aiming at improving the precision and accuracy of Cr detection by LIBS technique, LIBS spectra of samples were collected by a spectrometer with an intensified charge-cou- pled device （ICCD） using three gratings with different resolutions to comprehensively compare and analyze the stability, sensitivity and quantitative analysis accura- cy of LIBS detection. The results showed that average relative standard deviation （RSD） of LIBS spectral intensity was below 10%, indicating good stability. LIBS signals were collected by three gratings for quantitative analysis, and the results demonstrated that the linear correlation coefficient R2 of fitting curves was 0. 248 87, 0.903 12 and 0.992 81, respectively; the relative errors between actual and predicted concentrations were 38.23%, 8.84% and 7.43%, respectively, indicating that gratings with higher resolutions could lead to higher linear correlation coefficient and better detection accuracy. According to the results, high-resolu- tion spectrometer could significantly improve the accuracy of LIBS detection of Cr concentration in milk powder, suggesting that it is feasible to detect heavy metals in food by LIBS technique with the improvement of core device performance.

Keyhole formation and its characteristics in laser welding mode transition

Keyhole is the most important characteristic for laser deep penetration welding, and its formation indicates the beginning of laser deep penetration welding mode. The keyhole developing process was analyzed and the keyhole formation time was calculated according to welding speed and the length of weld bead formed in the keyhole formation process. The results showed that the keyhole forms in 40 -70 ms at different rate of change of laser power. In laser deep penetration welding process, the variation of light intensity radiated by laser induced plasma can identify the keyhole formation, but it can not be used to estimate the keyhole formation time because of delay effect.

Improvement of laser damage thresholds of fused silica by ultrasonic-assisted hydrofluoric acid etching

Polished fused silica samples were etched for different durations by using hydrofluoric（HF） acid solution with HF concentrations in an ultrasonic field. Surface and subsurface polishing residues and molecular structure parameters before and after the etching process were characterized by using a fluorescence microscope and infrared（IR） spectrometer, respectively. The laser induced damage thresholds（LIDTs） of the samples were measured by using pulsed nanosecond laser with wavelength of 355 nm. The results showed that surface and subsurface polishing residues can be effectively reduced by the acid etching process, and the LIDTs of fused silica are significantly improved. The etching effects increased with the increase of the HF concentration from 5 wt.% to 40 wt.%. The amount of polishing residues decreased with the increase of the etching duration and then kept stable. Simultaneously, with the increase of the etching time, the mechanical strength and molecular structure were improved.

Evaluation of gases'molecular abundance ratio by fiber-optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with a metal-assisted method

A metal-assisted method is proposed for the evaluation of gases’molecular abundance ratio in fiber-optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy(FO-LIBS).This method can reduce the laser ablation energy and make gas composition identification possible.The principle comes from the collision between the detected gases and the plasma produced by the laser ablation of the metal substrate.The interparticle collision in the plasma plume leads to gas molecules dissociating and sparking,which can be used to determine the gas composition.The quantitative relationship between spectral line intensity and molecular abundance ratio was developed over a large molecular abundance ratio range.The influence of laser ablation energy and substrate material on gas quantitative calibration measurement is also analyzed.The proposed metal-assisted method makes the measurement of gases’molecular abundance ratios possible with an FO-LIBS system.

Heavy Ion and Laser Microbeam Induced Current Transients in SiGe Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor

Silicon-germanium （SiGe） hereto-junction bipolar transistor current transients induced by pulse laser and heavy iron are measured using a real-time digital oscilloscope. These transients induced by pulse laser and heavy iron exhibit the same waveform and charge collection time except for the amplitude of peak current. Different laser energies and voltage biases under heavy ion irradiation also have impact on current transient, whereas the waveform remains unchanged. The position-correlated current transients suggest that the nature of the current transient is controlled by the behavior of the C/S junction.

Bubble Generation in Germanate Glass Induced by Femtosecond Laser

We report the observation of bubble generation and migration in a germanate g/ass during irradiation by a femtosecond laser of high repetition rate. Bubbles are formed around the focal area of the laser beam, and their movement indicates the presence of thermal gravity convection in the glass melt, which is beyond the existing theoretical model about temperature l^eld of focal area. Inside the bubbles, oxygen molecules are observed by the con focal Raman micro-spectroscopy. The generation of molecular oxygen and bubbles is explained in terms of the spatial separation of Ge and 0 ions and micro-explosion inside the glass melt.

Monitoring the Laser Ablation Process of Paint Layers by PILA Technique

The spectrum analysis obtained by Fast Fourier Transform of the Photoacoustic In-duced by Laser Ablation (PILA) during laser assisted paints removal process is de-scribed, in order to identify the presence of paint components on a metallic surface, optimize the ablation rate and propose the method as a cleaning process monitoring. The process was carried out using a low-cost experimental setup which includes a burst-mode Nd:YAG laser, an electret microphone, an audio amplifier device and an oscilloscope, to record the acoustic pulse and analyze it. The samples surface mor-phology was characterized by Optical Microscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) before and after irradiation to visualize the formation of craters. As additional monitoring technique, the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) was used. The potential of the analysis for qualitative monitoring of coating removal was demonstrated due to the coincidence of the information provided by LIBS and PILA techniques.

Non-integer Quantum Transition, a True Non-perturbation Effect in Laser-Atom Interaction

We show that in the quantum transition of an atom interacting with an intense laser of circular frequency ω, the energy difference between the initial and the final states of the atom is not necessarily an integer multiple of the quantum energy hω. This kind of non-integer transition is a true non-perturbation effect in laser-atom interaction.

The Process of a Laser-Supported Combustion Wave Induced by Millisecond Pulsed Laser on Aluminum Alloy

We study the process of a laser-supported combustion wave （LSCW） when an aluminum alloy is irradiated by a millisecond pulse laser based on the method of laser shadowgraphy. Under the condition of different laser parameters, the obtained results include the velocity, ignition threshold of LSCW and the variation law. The speed of LSCW increases with the laser energy under the same irradiation laser pulse width, and the speed of LSCW reduces with the increase of the laser pulse width under the same irradiation laser energy. Moreover, the ignition time of LSCW becomes shorter by increasing the laser number of the pulse and is not effected by changing the frequencies, when keeping the laser pulse width and energy unchanged. The results of the study can be applied in the laser propulsion technology and metal surface laser heat treatment, etc.