Laser microspot welding of copper

We describe a novel procedure for highly reliable microspot welding of copper based on a calibrated on-line reflectivity measurement. This parameter is used to control the laser power slope and the weld spot diameter. Reliable welds are obtained without the need of other active control mechanisms. The new technique allows realizing welds with a diameter close to the laser beam waist and leads to a reduction in the relative standard deviation of the molten pool diameter from 20% to about 3%.