Abstract: A method and apparatus (42) for laser scribing coatings on glass sheet substrates by conveying the substrate adjacent a laser source (83) that provides a pulsed laser beam (84) with a wavelength at a near-infrared fundamental frequency and having a frequency in the range of 50 to 100 kilohertz and a pulse duration in the range of 8 to 70 nanoseconds, and by reflecting the beam by an XYZ galvanometer controlled mirror system (90) toward an uncoated surface of the substrate for passage therethrough to the coating on the other surface to provide overlapping ablations through the coating and scribing at a speed of at least 1000 millimeters per second.

Abstract: A method of accelerated life testing of a solar cell includes directing a high-intensity diode laser light through at least one lens onto a small area of the solar cell continuously for a predetermined period of time to simulate long-term sun exposure. Performance of the solar cell is measured before and after exposure to the laser light so that life expectancy unless long-term sun exposure may be determined.