Q to laser users (maybe lab based rather than industry)
Discussion
Does anyone work with lasers in a way that could possibly give any insight about creating a diffracted beam from a single source which results resulting in multiple beams with diameters in the micron range?
ie, could you use diamond fragments/dust to create a head which would diffract a single beam into multiple rays, or is there another method of creating these multiple beams in with this sort of diameter?
ie, could you use diamond fragments/dust to create a head which would diffract a single beam into multiple rays, or is there another method of creating these multiple beams in with this sort of diameter?
Thanks for the interest and info.
I understand it's all very vague on my part but unfortunately it probably wouldn't take much to ID something that needs to stay under wraps for the time being, so rather boringly some beans will have to remain unspilled.
How much power?
Enough to make a clear mark in a range of different materials - but - not so much to create micro holes through thin metal sheet, for instance
How many beams and what tolerance?
Lots (sorry, as many as possible) and say, from 15 to 25 microns in diameter
Do the beams need to be on constantly?
Yes, preferably but it could pulse to cool if required, or the main beam could flip flop between two identical heads where they'd fire alternately if that helps?!
With regard to patterns and Fourier Transforms and beam splitters and lattice mods etc etc etc - the pattern can be random.
Sorry that I can't just state what the intended application is, I know this is all vague - but these are first Q's on something I've been thinking about for a few years now.
ps could the device which creates multiple, micron dia beams be mounted onto a commercial laser?
I understand it's all very vague on my part but unfortunately it probably wouldn't take much to ID something that needs to stay under wraps for the time being, so rather boringly some beans will have to remain unspilled.
How much power?
Enough to make a clear mark in a range of different materials - but - not so much to create micro holes through thin metal sheet, for instance
How many beams and what tolerance?
Lots (sorry, as many as possible) and say, from 15 to 25 microns in diameter
Do the beams need to be on constantly?
Yes, preferably but it could pulse to cool if required, or the main beam could flip flop between two identical heads where they'd fire alternately if that helps?!
With regard to patterns and Fourier Transforms and beam splitters and lattice mods etc etc etc - the pattern can be random.
Sorry that I can't just state what the intended application is, I know this is all vague - but these are first Q's on something I've been thinking about for a few years now.
ps could the device which creates multiple, micron dia beams be mounted onto a commercial laser?
V8LM said:
Assuming it's not the beam you require but focused spots on a surface
Yes, it's definitely the end result I'm interested in, rather than the activity or properties of the beam. I've also looked at wire/spark erosion to achieve the same results, but due to the requirements of that process it's not really appropriate.V8LM said:
a spatial light modulator would probably be the best way to go
Thanks for the suggestion (if you don't mind, there doesn't seem to be a Dummy's Guide to SLMs and I have some really fundamental questions!)What sort of area could they address and at what speed? ie, could the pattern be repeated if there are limitations to the area? Would they be OK to use as part of a repeated production process - ie, any duty cycle concerns?
Monty Python said:
What power is your source?
Haven't actually ID'd the end material - was bit of a catch 22 amnd wasn't sure where to start - do I figure out the process or do I ID the material to be processed and see which processes will give best results. However now V8LM has offered up a solution, the material and it's resilience to the beams can be ID'd next.V8LM said:
Depending on what material you wish to 'manipulate' and what the end result you desire you could also think about coating the material with a photoresist, use the laser to remove the resit, and then chemically etch, then remove the resit. (similar to silicon chip manufacture).
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoengraving
That's a really interesting suggestion - for a second it provoked the thought about going a step further with something like inkjetted acid, but the particle size wouldn't be small enough.See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoengraving
I'll look into that. Thanks.
ATG said:
1) Do you really need beams in the micron range?
2) Can the beams approach your target from the same direction?
3) And do you strictly need to use an initial single beam (e.g. is coherence of the multiple beams important?) or could you use several laser sources?
1) I need to create many micron sized impressions over an area (after looking at SLM, probably larger than the area offered by that process)2) Can the beams approach your target from the same direction?
3) And do you strictly need to use an initial single beam (e.g. is coherence of the multiple beams important?) or could you use several laser sources?
2) I'm fairly sure the end result wouldn't be affected by direction
3) No - had assumed it would be cheaper to use an existing common laser used in cutting industries which wold probably just have the single output/beam
In hindsight, perhaps some kind of photo etching might be more practical given SLM machines.
Edited by ReverendCounter on Monday 20th November 17:20
ATG said:
Oh, and what sort of thing are you thinking about when you say "commercial laser"? Depending on your line, that could be anything from a diode in a consumer disc reader to something for cutting sheet steel.
My thoughts were to retrofit an existing laser cutter with decent spec with some kind of device - but yes, something with a flat bed rather than a small consumer item.Gassing Station | Science! | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff