Picosecond lasers: Achieving maximum processing speed

The implementation of picosecond lasers for material microprocessing has taken great strides in the last 10 years. Since the first suitable lasers appeared, they have seen substantial advancement and are now widely recognized as reliable tools for industrial use. In the same period, considerable process knowledge has also been gained, further paving the way for their acceptance. One major hurdle preventing the implementation of any innovative technology resides in the associated investment costs: capital and running costs for the laser and the process system, as well as the development costs of a reliable and effective process. Naturally, the primary goal of any process development is to maximize the potential in any and all of these areas, and this is usually achieved through a methodical trial-and-error approach whereby both differing laser parameters and various beam-steering systems are examined. Here, Ammann and Oehler discusss how in picosecond lasers, the ablated volume per pulse is limited, and the principal workaround is the innovative implementation of higher pulse-repetition rates at the workpiece.