Method and system for confined laser cutting

A method of monitoring an operation status of a confined laser cutting tool includes emitting light in the form of laser beams from a laser source. The method includes using a nozzle to form a confining column composed of a liquid. The method further includes forming a confined laser beam, the confined laser beam defined by the confluence of the laser beams and the confining column. The method also includes sensing a characteristic of the confined laser beam with a sensor. The method further includes determining the operation status of the confined laser cutting tool based on the sensed characteristic of the confined laser beam. The method also includes deactivating the laser source when the sensed characteristic of the confined laser beam reaches a predetermined threshold. The method may also include providing an operator notification after deactivating the laser source.