Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus consistent with the present invention use a beam of laser energy to concentrically form an optical preform from two or more concentric glass objects, such as two glass tubes or a hollow glass tube and a solid glass rod. The glass objects are placed in a concentric configuration where the outer object has an inner surface that is placed proximate to an outer surface of the inner object. Once these are assembled, a beam of laser energy is generated, positioned, and applied to a starting point in the gap defined by the inner surface and the outer surface. Once the laser beam is applied and is reflecting down into the gap, the beam of laser energy is moved relative to the starting point as the beam is concurrently applied. This heats the inner surface and outer surface so that the two objects can be joined to form the optical preform. In another aspect of the invention, a coating layer is disposed within the gap and can be heated by the laser as it is applied within the gap.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention determine an amount of energy required to bring a quartz workpiece to a fusion weldable condition. The fusion weldable condition is a state at which the quartz workpiece is in thermal balance while being substantially near but below a quartz sublimation point. Parameters of the quartz workpiece, such as thermal properties and dimensional data, are identified. Quantifiable parameters of a heat source (such as a laser's beam energy attributes and beam geometry) are also identified. Using these parameters, a relationship is generated representing a modeled state of thermal equilibrium for the weldable surface of the quartz workpiece. This relationship is used to determine the appropriate amount of energy to be applied to the quartz workpiece and associates a desired temperature of the workpiece with a transit time for applying the energy. Heat loss can be accounted for and adjusted as part of the determined amount of energy.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus consistent with the present invention use a beam of laser energy to concentrically form an optical preform from two or more concentric glass objects, such as two glass tubes or a hollow glass tube and a solid glass rod. The glass objects are placed in a concentric configuration where the outer object has an inner surface that is placed proximate to an outer surface of the inner object. Once these are assembled, a beam of laser energy is generated, positioned, and applied to a starting point in the gap defined by the inner surface and the outer surface. Once the laser beam is applied and is reflecting down into the gap, the beam of laser energy is moved relative to the starting point as the beam is concurrently applied. This heats the inner surface and outer surface so that the two objects can be joined to form the optical preform. In another aspect of the invention, a coating layer is disposed within the gap and can be heated by the laser as it is applied within the gap.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention use laser energy for fusion welding a first quartz object to a second quartz object. The first quartz object and second quartz object have opposing surfaces to be fusion welded together. Once placed in a configuration where the opposing surfaces are substantially near each other, one or more laser beams are applied to one of the surfaces. As the first surface is heated by the laser energy, it become reflective as it nears a desired fusion weldable condition. Once reflective, the first surface reflects the laser energy to the opposing surface where the opposing surface is then heated to the desired fusion weldable condition. As the laser beam is bounced or reflected back and forth between the opposing surfaces, the surfaces are heated in a substantially even manner to allow for molecular fusing of the first object the second object into a single quartz workpiece.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus consistent with the present invention use multiple beams of laser energy for thermally processing a quartz object. A first laser beam is generated. A second laser beam is generated that is characteristically different than first laser beam. More particularly, the first beam and second beam may have different wavelengths, energy levels, and/or focal characteristics (such as beam geometry, beam energy distribution profile, and/or focal lengths). The first and second laser beams are then provided to a combiner, which forms the beams into a composite beam. The composite beam is then applied to a portion of the quartz object where it thermally processes the quartz by selectively heating the portion of the quartz. The composite beam may also be adjusted by changing the characteristic differences between the first and second laser beams in order to alter how the composite beam selectively heats the quartz.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus consistent with the present invention apply one or more laser beams to a glass object, such as a tube. The beams may have differing wavelengths, energy levels, and/or focal length characteristics. As the beam (single or multiple) penetrates the glass tube, it creates a channel. The beam is provided through the channel to a starting point on a region of the glass tube, usually the region below an inside diameter surface of the tube. In one embodiment, the beam is used to selectively heat a reactant gas within the tube to deposit a coating/dopant layer on the inside diameter surface. In another embodiment, the coating layer is already present and the beam selectively heats the layer causing thermal diffusion of the coating material into the glass tube at the region being heated.

Abstract: A system for laser cutting brittle materials. In one aspect, the outer perimeter of a base plate of brittle material, which contains therein a workpiece defined by a laser micro-crack cut line, is heated. The heating causes the base plate material to expand away from the micro-crack cut line, therein expanding the interstice between the base plate and the workpiece, releasing the workpiece defined by the micro-crack cut line. Alternatively, a gas emitting tape is positioned under a micro-crack cut line and applies a force against the brittle material along the micro-crack cut line, therein propagating the micro-crack through the thickness of the material and completely separating the brittle material along the micro-crack cut line. Another aspect employs ultrasonic energy to cause breakage of a brittle material along a micro-crack scribe line. Yet another aspect employs the application of high pressure fluid along a micro-crack cut line, therein forcing the material on either side of the cut line apart.