Industrial Applications of Lasers

Industrial Applications of Lasers focuses on how lasers have been used for practical applications in industry. This text aims to stimulate the imagination of the readers, who can then evaluate the potential application of lasers to solve their own problems. Comprised of 21 chapters, this book starts with an overview of the fundamental background of lasers, and then discusses the basic principles of how lasers operate. Other chapters provide an understanding of how holograms really work. This text also discusses several topics relevant to lasers, themselves, including the types of practical lasers and laser properties. This book considers laser safety, which is very important for anyone considering a laser application. Finally, this text explores the various developed laser applications, including scribing of ceramics, laser welding and cutting of metals, as well as applications in surveying, alignment, and metrology. This book is a valuable resource to laser technicians, physicists, scientists, researchers, and readers whose interests span a variety of fields.

Preface

Acknowledgments

Historical Prologue l

Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Lasers

A. Electromagnetic Radiation

B. Elementary Optical Principles

C. Energy Levels

D. Interaction of Radiation and Matter

E. Laser Materials

F. Population Inversion

G. Resonant Cavity

Selected References

Chapter 2 Properties of Laser Light

A. Line width

B. Beam Divergence Angle

C. Spatial Profiles of Laser Beams

D. Temporal Behavior of Laser Output

E. Coherence Properties

F. Brightness

G. Focusing Properties of Laser Radiation

H. Power

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 3 Practical Lasers

A. Gas Lasers

B. Solid State Lasers

C. Semiconductor Lasers

D. Organic Dye Lasers

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 4 Status of Laser Development: Present and Future

A. Tabulation of Laser Properties

B. Future Developments

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 5 Care and Maintenance of Lasers

A. Damage and Deterioration of Lasers

B. Care and Maintenance

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 6 Laser Safety

A. Physiological Effects

B. Laser Safety Practices and Standards

C. Regulatory Bodies

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 7 Laser Components and Accessories

A. Mirrors

B. Polarizers

C. Infrared Materials

D. Detectors

E. Modulators

F. Deflectors

G. ^-switches

H. Nonlinear Optical Elements

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 8 Alignment and Tooling

A. Laser Tooling

B. Related Uses

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 9 Principles Used in Measurement

A. The Michelson Interferometer

B. Beat Production (Heterodyne)

C. The Doppler Effect

D. Coherence Requirements

Selected References

Chapter 10 Distance Measurement and Dimensional Control

A. Interferometric Distance Measurement

B. Beam Modulation Telemetry

C. Pulsed Laser Range Finders

D. A Laser Interferometer Application in Mask Production: A Specific Example of Distance Measurement and Dimensional Control

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 11 Environmental Measurements

A. Introduction to Laser Monitoring of the Environment

B. Optical Radar

C. Raman Backscattering

D. Resonance Fluorescence

E. Absorption Methods

F. Summary and Comparison of Methods

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 12 Laser Instrumentation and Measurement

A. Velocity Measurement

B. Angular Rotation Rate

C. Wire Diameter

D. Profile and Surface Position Measurement

E. Measurements of Product Dimension

F. Measurement of Surface Finish

G. Surface Flaw Inspection Monitor—A Specific Example

H. Summary

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 13 Interaction of High-Power Laser Radiation with Materials

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 14 Laser Applications in Material Processing

Selected References

Chapter 15 Applications of Laser Heating: Welding and Heat Treating

A. Seam Welding—Subkilowatt Levels

B. Welding with Multikilowatt Continuous Lasers

C. Spot Welding

D. Heat Treatment

E. An Example of Laser Welding Capability

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 16 Applications for Material Removal: Drilling, Cutting, Electronic Component Fabrication, Marking

A. Laser-Induced Material Removal

B. Hole Drilling

C. Cutting

D. Electronic Component Fabrication

E. Additional Processes Involving Material Removal

F. An Example—Mask Saving

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 17 Principles of Holography

A. Formation of Holograms

B. The Holographic Process

C. Hologram Types and Their Efficiencies

D. Practical Aspects of Holography

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 18 Applications of Holography

A. Holographic Interferometry

B. A Miscellany of Applications

C. An Example of Holographic Application

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 19 Chemical Applications

A. Spectroscopy

B. Photochemical Applications

C. Isotope Separation

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 20 Integrated Optics and Fiber Optics

A. Optical Waveguides

B. Components for Integrated Optics

References

Selected Additional References

Chapter 21 Information-Related Applications of Lasers

A. Communications

B. Displays

C. Consumer-Related Products: Video Disks and Point-of-Sale Scanners

D. Laser Graphics

E. Information Storage

F. Optical Data Processing

References

Selected Additional References

Epilogue A Look at the Future

References

Selected Additional References

Index