Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus consistent with the present invention use laser energy for thermally processing a quartz object using a beam of laser energy. Once placed in a configuration where the laser beam can be applied to an exterior surface of the quartz object, one or more laser beams are applied to a starting point on the surface. The laser beams may have the same or different wavelengths, energy levels and/or focal lengths. As the surface is heated by the laser energy, the surface is eventually pierced by the beam and a channel forms within the quartz object. As the channel deepens to access an inner portion of the object, the energy of the beam is altered to thermally process or selectively heat the inner portion. After processing the inner portion, the channel is typically closed by fusion welding the walls of the channel (or the channel and quartz filler material) using the beam.