Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing materials to enhancing the material's surface strength, improving the material's cyclic and thermal stability of microstructures, and extend the material's fatigue performance. Embodiments include laser shock peening at material temperatures that are moderately elevated (from the material's perspective) above room temperature. Alternate embodiments include laser shock peening at very cold (cryogenic) material temperatures. Still further embodiments include laser shock peening while covering the surface of the material being processed with an active agent that interacts with the laser energy and enhances the pressure exerted on the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing materials to enhancing the material’s surface strength, improving the material’s cyclic and thermal stability of microstructures, and extend the material’s fatigue performance. Embodiments include laser shock peening at material temperatures that are moderately elevated (from the material’s perspective) above room temperature. Alternate embodiments include laser shock peening at very cold (cryogenic) material temperatures. Still further embodiments include laser shock peening while covering the surface of the material being processed with an active agent that interacts with the laser energy and enhances the pressure exerted on the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing materials to enhancing the material's surface strength, improving the material's cyclic and thermal stability of microstructures, and extend the material's fatigue performance. Embodiments include laser shock peening at material temperatures that are moderately elevated (from the material's perspective) above room temperature. Alternate embodiments include laser shock peening at very cold (cryogenic) material temperatures. Still further embodiments include laser shock peening while covering the surface of the material being processed with an active agent that interacts with the laser energy and enhances the pressure exerted on the surface.

Abstract: A confined pulsed laser deposition method and apparatus that includes an ablative coating between a transparent confinement layer and a backing plane, and a laser beam directed through the confinement layer to ablate the coating at generally ambient temperature and pressure, and using laser induced pressure to synthesize metaphase from the ablative coating. For example, diamond phase carbon can be synthesized from a graphite coating. The laser beam can be directed through a focus lens to control the final spot size, or through a beam diffuser to make the intensity more uniform. An XYZ-stage can position a desired target area of the ablative coating to be irradiated by the laser beam. The laser beam can have an intensity of less than about 6 GW/cm2, or less than about 4 GW/cm2. The laser beam can have an excitation wavelength of about 568 nm.

Abstract: A laser nanoforming system and method for forming three-dimensional nanostructures from a metallic surface. A laser beam is directed to hit and explode an ablative layer to generate a shockwave that exerts a force on the metallic surface to form an inverse nanostructure of an underlying mold. A dry lubricant can be located between the metallic surface and mold to reduce friction. A confinement layer substantially transparent to the laser beam can confine the shockwave. A cushion layer can protect the mold from damage. A flyer layer between the ablative layer and metallic surface can protect the metallic surface from thermal effects of the exploding ablative layer. The mold can have feature sizes less than 500 nm. The metallic surface can be aluminum film. The dry lubricant can be sputtered Au—Cr film, evaporated Au film or a dip-coated PVP film or other dry lubricant materials.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the conversion efficiency of thin film photovoltaics. The thin film structure includes a photovoltaic absorbent layer covered by a confinement layer. A laser beam passes through the confinement layer and hits the photovoltaic absorbent layer. The laser can be pulsed to create localized rapid heating and cooling of the photovoltaic absorbent layer. The confinement layer confines the laser induced plasma plume creating a localized high-pressure condition for the photovoltaic absorbent layer. The laser beam can be scanned across specific regions of the thin film structure. The laser beam can be pulsed as a series of short pulses. The photovoltaic absorbent layer can be made of various materials including copper indium diselenide, gallium arsenide, and cadmium telluride. The photovoltaic absorbent layer can be sandwiched between a substrate and the confinement layer, and a molybdenum layer can be between the substrate and the photovoltaic absorbent layer.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the conversion efficiency of thin film photovoltaics. The thin film structure includes a photovoltaic absorbent layer covered by a confinement layer. A laser beam passes through the confinement layer and hits the photovoltaic absorbent layer. The laser can be pulsed to create localized rapid heating and cooling of the photovoltaic absorbent layer. The confinement layer confines the laser induced plasma plume creating a localized high-pressure condition for the photovoltaic absorbent layer. The laser beam can be scanned across specific regions of the thin film structure. The laser beam can be pulsed as a series of short pulses. The photovoltaic absorbent layer can be made of various materials including copper indium diselenide, gallium arsenide, and cadmium telluride. The photovoltaic absorbent layer can be sandwiched between a substrate and the confinement layer, and a molybdenum layer can be between the substrate and the photovoltaic absorbent layer.

Abstract: A laser nanoforming system and method for forming three-dimensional nanostructures from a metallic surface. A laser beam is directed to hit and explode an ablative layer to generate a shockwave that exerts a force on the metallic surface to form an inverse nanostructure of an underlying mold. A dry lubricant can be located between the metallic surface and mold to reduce friction. A confinement layer substantially transparent to the laser beam can confine the shockwave. A cushion layer can protect the mold from damage. A flyer layer between the ablative layer and metallic surface can protect the metallic surface from thermal effects of the exploding ablative layer. The mold can have feature sizes less than 500 nm. The metallic surface can be aluminum film. The dry lubricant can be sputtered Au—Cr film, evaporated Au film or a dip-coated PVP film or other dry lubricant materials.

Abstract: A confined pulsed laser deposition method and apparatus that includes an ablative coating between a transparent confinement layer and a backing plane, and a laser beam directed through the confinement layer to ablate the coating at generally ambient temperature and pressure, and using laser induced pressure to synthesize metaphase from the ablative coating. For example, diamond phase carbon can be synthesized from a graphite coating. The laser beam can be directed through a focus lens to control the final spot size, or through a beam diffuser to make the intensity more uniform. An XYZ-stage can position a desired target area of the ablative coating to be irradiated by the laser beam. The laser beam can have an intensity of less than about 6 GW/cm2, or less than about 4 GW/cm2. The laser beam can have an excitation wavelength of about 568 nm.