Certain Features of Interaction Between Laser Radiation and Metals

Abstract

The paper presents experimental investigation results concerning the problem of optimising the efficiency of interaction between laser radiation and metals. We used several types of Nd lasers featuring the desired combination of power, temporal and spatial radiation parameters as sources of the radiation required. To pump these lasers, we employed rectangular pulses at a periodicity eliminating effects characteristic of continuous-wave and pulsed laser operation modes. This limits the laser radiation parameters driving the interaction efficiency functions to strictly those parameters that match the single-pulse laser operation mode. Temporal radiation parameter variation involved measurements in the free-running and high-frequency Q-switching modes as well as adjusting pumping (lasing) pulse durations. Power parameter variation was implemented through altering radiation energy density over the irradiated surface. Spatial structure of the ablative radiation was varied by means of optical radiation transfer facilities and different laser emitters. The experimental investigation results allowed us to establish certain patterns concerning the interaction between laser radiation and metals as a function of radiation parameters listed