Abstract: A laser gain medium and a method of manufacturing a laser medium, such as a laser rod, or slab for use in high-powered laser peening systems. A laser medium and method reduces stress risers along the surface of the amplifier medium by grit blasting, polishing, etching, annealing, and by eliminating platinum inclusions within the laser glass.

Abstract: A laser processing method for processing a hidden surface of a workpiece, the hidden surface being disposed within a recess having an opening. The method includes inserting a reflective member into the recess and directing a pulse of coherent energy to reflect off of said reflective member and impact the hidden surface of a workpiece to create a shock wave. Alteratively a surface of the recess may be modified to laser shock process the hidden surface. In one particular embodiment, the reflective member is specifically shaped toprovide diction of a pulse of coherent energy to a hidden surface so that a substantially uniform energy density is applied to the hidden surface. In an additional embodiment, the method is optimized for preventing damage to the reflective member. In one particular embodiment, the reflective member is composed of a fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a substantially debris-free laser beam path for use during laser shock processing. The method and apparatus include a system for removing debris from the laser beam path and a system for preventing debris from entering the laser beam path.

Abstract: A method of testing the operation of a laser peening system includes providing a sensor in a possible laser beam path, applying a transparent overlay material to the sensor, directing a pulse of coherent energy to the sensor through the transparent overlay material to create a shock wave, and determining a characteristic of the created shock wave with the sensor.

Abstract: A method of producing a workpiece involves positioning the workpiece at a current processing position indicated by a hard-coded part program and then collecting position data which defines the positional arrangement of a current target area of the workpiece. The collected position data is processed by comparing it to reference position information that represents the positional arrangement of the same target area in an ideal workpiece employed in the development of the part program. The position of the workpiece (and hence the target area) is adjusted in accordance with the comparison results. A laser shock processing operation is performed on the workpiece at the current target area following the position adjustment step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the quality of a laser peening process, which includes a test element, a mount for the test element, wherein the test element is mounted at a preselected point in the anticipated path of a laser pulse, the laser pulse irradiates the test element, the deflection of the test element is measured in the direction substantially perpendicular and away from the impacted surface of the test element, and the deflection measurement is compared to a previously generated chart showing the relationship between characteristics of test elements and desired material properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving properties of a solid material by providing shockwaves therethrough. The method includes controlling the incident angle &THgr; of the laser beam applied to the workpiece so that the required residual stresses are created in the workpiece. Particular methods of control such as lenses, polarizers, and particular transparent overlay geometries are shown. The apparatus includes structure for controlling the position and incident angle of the laser beam then controlling the polarization and/or the shape of the incident impact area, based on such incident angle &THgr; or thickness of the workpiece.

Abstract: A laser gain medium and a method of manufacturing a laser medium, such as a laser rod, or slab for use in high-powered laser peening systems. A laser medium and method reduces stress risers along the surface of the amplifier medium by grit blasting, polishing, etching, annealing, and by eliminating platinum inclusions within the laser glass.

Abstract: A monitor of a plurality of optical signals utilizing fiber optics which form an array. An image of the array is captured and the captured image is processed for detecting a quality of an optical signal such as the presence, absence, intensity, wavelength, or other quality of the optical signal. A method of monitoring a plurality of optical signals by capturing a plurality of optical signals from an array of signals and detecting a quality of at least one optical signal is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a substantially debris-free laser beam path for use during laser shock processing. The method and apparatus include a system for removing debris from the laser beam path and a system for preventing debris from entering the laser beam path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a substantially debris-free laser beam path for use during laser shock processing. The method and apparatus include a system for removing debris from the laser beam path and a system for preventing debris from entering the laser beam path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving properties of a solid material by providing shockwaves therethrough. The method includes controlling the incident angle &THgr; of the laser beam applied to the workpiece so that the required residual stresses are created in the workpiece. Particular methods of control such as lenses, polarizers, and particular transparent overlay geometries are shown. The apparatus includes structure for controlling the position and incident angle of the laser beam then controlling the polarization and/or the shape of the incident impact area, based on such incident angle &THgr; or thickness of the workpiece.

Abstract: A remote laser shock processing system for improving the properties of a solid workpiece by providing shock waves therein. The system includes a remote output end and a laser beam delivery arrangement for directing a beam of coherent energy to a specific location along a workpiece. In addition, a method of utilizing the remote laser shock processing system is included.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the functionality, quality, and usefulness of a beam of coherent energy used in laser shock processing by utilizing an apodizer within the oscillator or amplifier of a laser. The apodizer used may be a phase plate, a serrated aperture, a birefringent beam shaper, an absorbent graded aperture, a reflective graded aperture, or a combination thereof. A method and apparatus for reducing or preventing damage to an oscillator and an amplifier utilizes an apodizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving properties of a solid material by providing shockwaves therethrough. The method includes controlling the incident angle &THgr; of the laser beam applied to the workpiece so that the required residual stresses are created in the workpiece. Particular methods of control such as lenses, polarizers, and particular transparent overlay geometries are shown. The apparatus includes structure for controlling the position and incident angle of the laser beam then controlling the polarization and/or the shape of the incident impact area, based on such incident angle &THgr; or thickness of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of altering the properties of a solid material by varying the temperature of the solid material either before or after or both before and after laser shock processing the solid material. In addition, the method may be repeated for successive laser shock processing of the solid material.

Abstract: A method of laser shock peening a workpiece including the steps of laser shock peening at least one surface of the workpiece so that it extends over an area of the workpiece and forms a region having compressive residual stresses imparted by the laser shock peening extending into the workpiece from the surface, and firing a laser beam to produce the laser shock peened surface with more than one row of laser beam spots, wherein adjacent laser beam spots and/or rows are one of touching or spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus creating a processing cell for laser peening operations includes an enclosure which substantially defines a work cell or processing cell with a transparent overlay material applicator disposed therein. A cleaning system is utilized that may include a vapor exhaust, liquid removal system, and a gas or air supply. A vapor exhaust system is connected to the enclosure for removing vapor from within the processing cell. A liquid removal system is connected to the enclosure for removing liquid from the processing cell. A gas or air supply is connected to the enclosure to flood the enclosure with gas or air to flush airborne debris therefrom. A workpiece manipulator may be disposed or operate within the cell for moving workpieces therein.

Abstract: An apparatus creating a processing cell for laser peening operations includes an enclosure which substantially defines a work cell or processing cell with a transparent overlay material applicator located therein. A cleaning system is utilized that may include a vapor exhaust, liquid removal system, and a gas or air supply. A vapor exhaust system is connected to the enclosure for removing vapor from within the processing cell. A liquid removal system is connected to the enclosure for removing liquid from the processing cell. A gas or air supply is connected to the enclosure to flood the enclosure with gas or air to flush airborne debris therefrom. A workpiece manipulator may be disposed or operate within the cell for moving workpieces therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving properties of a solid material by providing shock waves therethrough. Laser shock processing is used to provide the shock waves. The method includes applying a transparent overlay to the solid material to be worked. The solid material or overlay is vibrated to release any gas bubbles or solid debris within the transparent layer which could cause localized non-uniform confinement of a pressure pulse applied for a workpiece thereby causing irregularities in the workpiece surface. A pulse of coherent laser energy is the directed to the coated portion of the solid material to create a shock wave. Additionally, the method may include adding a wetting agent or controlling the temperature of the overlay material to reduce the concentration of gas bubbles therein.