Abstract: A method for the laser-based machining of a sheet-like substrate, in order to separate the substrate into multiple portions, in which the laser beam of a laser for machining the substrate is directed onto the latter, is characterized in that, with an optical arrangement positioned in the path of rays of the laser, an extended laser beam focal line, seen along the direction of the beam, is formed on the beam output side of the optical arrangement from the laser beam directed onto the latter, the substrate being positioned in relation to the laser beam focal line such that an induced absorption is produced in the material of the substrate in the interior of the substrate along an extended portion, seen in the direction of the beam, of the laser beam focal line, such that a material modification takes place in the material of the substrate along this extended portion.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to forming anodized films that have a white appearance. In some embodiments, an anodized film having pores with light diffusing pore walls created by varying the current density during an anodizing process is described. In some embodiments, an anodized film having light diffusing micro-cracks created by a laser cracking procedure is described. In some embodiments, a sputtered layer of light diffusing aluminum is provided below an anodized film. In some embodiments, light diffusing particles are infused within openings of an anodized layer.

Abstract: Laser pulses from pulsed fiber lasers are directed to an amorphous silicon layer to produce a polysilicon layer comprising a disordered arrangement of crystalline regions by repeated melting and recrystallization. Laser pulse durations of about 0.5 to 5 ns at wavelength range between about 500 nm and 1000 nm, at repetition rates of 10 kHz to 10 MHz can be used. Line beam intensity uniformity can be improved by spectrally broadening the laser pulses by Raman scattering in a multimode fiber or by applying varying phase delays to different portions of a beam formed with the laser pulses to reduce beam coherence.

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus and method in which a first laser source, for example, a CO2 emitting at 10.6 ?m is focused onto a silicon wafer as a line beam and a second laser source, for example, a GaAs laser bar emitting at 808 nm is focused onto the wafer as a larger beam surrounding the line beam. The two beams are scanned in synchronism in the direction of the narrow dimension of the line beam to create a narrow heating pulse from the line beam when activated by the larger beam. The energy of GaAs radiation is greater than the silicon bandgap energy and creates free carriers. The energy of the CO2 radiation is less than the silicon bandgap energy so silicon is otherwise transparent to it, but the long wavelength radiation is absorbed by the free carriers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cobalt-based noble-metal dental alloy for the SLM process, which is intended for the production of metallic components, a corresponding method of producing a metallic component and a corresponding metallic component.

Abstract: Combustion control electrode assemblies, combustion control systems using such assemblies, and methods of manufacturing and using such assemblies are disclosed. The electrode assemblies may include one or more electrodes including a sintered refractory metal material for heat and/or wear resistance. In an embodiment, an electrode assembly for a combustion control system may include at least one substrate and at least one electrode formed on the at least one substrate. The at least one electrode may include a sintered refractory metal material. The at least one electrode may be configured to be mounted proximate to or contacting a flame. The electrode assembly may further include at least one voltage source operatively coupled to the at least one electrode. The at least one electrode and the at least one voltage source may be collectively configured to apply an electric field to one or more regions at least proximate to the flame.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to apparatuses for sealing the tips of pump-out tubes of vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units, and/or associated methods. In certain example embodiments, a laser source used in sealing the pump-out tube is thermally insulated from the VIG unit and emits a laser beam through one or more windows in an oven towards a mirror located therein. The mirror is located so as to redirect the laser beam onto the pump-out tube to thereby seal it. For instance, a substantially horizontal laser beam emitted from a laser source located outside the oven enters into the oven through one or more windows and is reflected by a mirror towards the pump-out tube to be sealed. The repositioning of the laser source advantageously can change its effective focal length and/or the location of the laser beam, e.g., because of the fixed location of the mirror.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for improving the intensity profile of a beam image used to process a semiconductor substrate. At least one photonic beam may be generated and manipulated to form an image having an intensity profile with an extended uniform region useful for thermally processing the surface of the substrate. The image may be scanned across the surface to heat at least a portion of the substrate surface to achieve a desired temperature within a predetermined dwell time. Such processing may achieve a high efficiency due to the large proportion of energy contained in the uniform portion of the beam.

Abstract: A method for laser marking a metal surface (5) with a desired colour, which method comprises forming at least one first pattern (41) on the metal surface (5) with a first laser beam (42) having a first pulse fluence (43), forming at least one second pattern (51) on the metal surface with a second laser beam (52) having a second pulse fluence (53), characterized by causing the second pattern (51) to overlay the first pattern (41), arranging the first pulse fluence (43) to be at least five times greater than the second pulse fluence (53), the colour being given by the first and second pulse fluences (43, 53) and spot spacings (48) in the first and second patterns (41, 51), and selecting the first and second pulse fluences (43, 53) and the spot spacings (48) to form the desired colour.

Abstract: A connector terminal, fabricated from a metallic material for connector which material has a tin or tin alloy layer, formed on a copper or copper alloy base material, wherein the thickness of the tin or tin alloy layer at a contact site on the surface of the terminal is smaller than the thickness of the tin or tin alloy layer in the areas other than the contact site, and a copper-tin alloy layer is formed as an under layer of the tin or tin alloy layer at the contact site; and a connector terminal, fabricated from a metallic material for connector which material has a copper or copper alloy base material, wherein a copper-tin alloy layer is formed in a spot shape at a contact site on the surface of the terminal, and a tin or tin alloy layer is formed in the remaining areas on the surface.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes depositing metal powder over a seed crystal having a predetermined primary orientation, scanning an initial pattern into the metal powder to melt or sinter the deposited metal powder, and re-scanning the initial pattern to re-melt the scanned metal powder and form an initial layer having the predetermined primary orientation. The method further includes depositing additional metal powder over the initial layer, scanning an additional pattern into the additional metal powder to melt or sinter at least a portion of the additional metal powder, re-scanning the additional pattern to re-melt a portion of the initial layer and the scanned deposited additional metal powder to form a successive layer having the predetermined primary orientation, and repeating the steps of depositing additional metal powder, scanning the additional pattern, and re-scanning the additional pattern, until a final shape of the component is achieved.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of fabricating an implantable pulse generator, comprises: providing a lead body including a plurality of conductors; providing a feedthrough component comprising a plurality of feedthrough pins; hermetically enclosing pulse generating circuitry and switching circuitry within a housing, the feedthrough component being welded to the housing; laser machining each of the plurality of feedthrough pins to comprise a slot along a surface of the respective feedthrough pin; placing a respective conductor from the lead body in the respective slot of each of the plurality of feedthrough pins; and performing welding operations to connect the plurality of conductors of the lead body with the plurality of feedthrough pins of the feedthrough component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of cutting a flexible display device, capable of preventing a generation of a defect at the time of cutting the flexible display device, the method including providing a glass mother substrate having a flexible substrate attached thereon and an insulating layer formed on the flexible substrate; melting the flexible substrate and the insulating layer on the mother substrate by irradiating with a first laser beam; and cutting the mother substrate exposed by the irradiation of the first laser beam using a cutting device.

Abstract: The invention is a method and an apparatus for marking an article and the article thus marked. It includes providing the article. Generating a plurality of groups of laser pulses. At least one of the plurality of groups is generated by modulating a beam of laser pulses to form a plurality of beamlets. Each, of the plurality of beamlets, include at least one laser pulse. It also includes directing the plurality of groups of laser pulses onto the article such that laser pulses within the at least one of the plurality of groups impinge upon the article at spot areas that do not overlap one another, wherein laser pulses within the plurality of groups are configured to produce a visible mark on the article.

Abstract: A laser beam machining apparatus includes laser beam irradiation unit for irradiating a wafer held on a chuck table with a laser beam, and control unit. The laser beam irradiation unit includes a laser beam oscillator for oscillating a laser beam with such a wavelength as to be transmitted through said wafer, repetition frequency setting section for setting a repetition frequency of pulses in the laser beam oscillated from the laser beam oscillator.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a metal part by selectively melting a powder, the method including: building up layer by layer on a plate and simultaneously with the part, at least one holder and support element for the part, the element being spaced apart and distinct from the part and being separated therefrom by a gap filled with non-melted powder; after the part has been made completely, removing at least some of the powder remaining in the gap between the part and the element, for example by suction, blowing, or vibration; and separating the part from the plate.

Abstract: A boroscope includes a working head having first and second ends. A first optical fibre extends through the boroscope to a position between the first and second ends. A second optical fibre extends through the boroscope to the second end of the working head. A laser optical fibre extends through the boroscope. At least one lens is arranged between the first end and the second end of the working head and a mirror is gimballed to the second end of the working head. The laser optical fibre directs laser light transmitted through the laser optical fibre onto the lens and then onto the mirror. A first LED is arranged at a position between the first end and the second end of the working head and a second LED is arranged at the second end of the working head and an actuator devices adjust the position of the mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally processing a substrate includes a first radiation source configured to heat a substrate and emit radiation at a heating wavelength, focusing optics configured to direct radiation from the first radiation source to the substrate, and a second radiation source configured to emit radiation at a second wavelength different from the heating wavelength and at a lower power than the first radiation source. Radiation from the second radiation source is directed onto the substrate. The apparatus further includes a first detector configured to receive reflected radiation at the second wavelength and a computer system configured to receive an output from the first detector and adjust a focus plane of the first radiation source relative to the substrate. The second radiation source is configured to have substantially the same focus plane as the first radiation source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a generative production method for producing a component by selectively melting and/or sintering a powder several times consecutively by introducing an amount of heat by means of beam energy, such that the powder particles melt and/or sinter in layers, wherein the powder particles (1) are made of a first material (2) and the powder particles are surrounded by a second material (3) partially or over the entire surface thereof, wherein the second material has a lower melting point than the first material and/or lowers the melting point of the first material when mixed with the first material. The invention further relates to a corresponding powder and to a prototype produced from said powder.

Abstract: A method of forming patterns on transparent substrates using a pulsed laser is disclosed. Various embodiments include an ultrashort pulsed laser, a substrate that is transparent to the laser wavelength, and a target plate. The laser beam is guided through the transparent substrate and focused on the target surface. The target material is ablated by the laser and is deposited on the opposite substrate surface. A pattern, for example a gray scale image, is formed by scanning the laser beam relative to the target. Variations of the laser beam scan speed and scan line density control the material deposition and change the optical properties of the deposited patterns, creating a visual effect of gray scale. In some embodiments patterns may be formed on a portion of a microelectronic device during a fabrication process. In some embodiments high repetition rate picoseconds and nanosecond sources are configured to produce the patterns.

Abstract: A micro melting process to melt surface irregularities or features on a surface of a substrate. The method includes providing a laser and a control mechanism associated with the laser. The control mechanism is used to melt the surface irregularities on the substrate. The control mechanism varies the laser intensity and direction by varying and monitoring the power of the laser. The approach direction of the laser is used to control the manner in which irregularities or surface features are melted, ambient atmospheric conditions, induced motion between the laser and the surface being processed.

Abstract: A system and method for heating a filler wire (consumable) using a laser in brazing, cladding, building up, filling, overlaying, welding, and joining applications. The filler wire includes a first surface that absorbs energy from a laser beam and a second surface separated from said first surface by a thickness t that is in a range of 0.010 inch to 0.045 inch. A cross-sectional shape of the filler wire includes at least one bend toward the laser beam along a length of the cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape has a projected width w that is in a range of 0.030 inch to 0.095 inch.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for joining pipes where a keyhole is formed in each of the pipe ends and then a filler metal is placed in the keyholes to join the pipes to each other. The filler metal can be deposited using a laser hot wire process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for electrically contacting terminal faces of two substrates (6, 7), in particular of a chip (6) and of a carrier substrate (7). Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for performing a second phase of the method according to the invention. The method according to the invention takes place in two successive phases, wherein, in a first phase, the chip (6) is positioned with its terminal faces against terminal faces of the substrate (7) and laser energy (5) is applied to the chip (6) at the rear and, in a subsequent second phase, in a housing (3), a flux medium is applied and at the same time a reflow is performed by means of laser energy (5) being applied to the chip (6) at the rear, and a process of rinsing the housing interior is subsequently performed.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for hybrid machining colored glass, includes the following steps: (1) providing a laser generator having a machining head, the colored glass is processed through the machining head by means of laser beam emitted by the laser generator. The colored glass particles melted or vaporized by the laser beam are blown away by the pressured gas through the nozzle on the machining head, so as to form a pore on the colored glass; (2) the colored glass is further processed at the pore by means of mechanical machining tools. The method for hybrid machining colored glass in the present application possesses economical, fast machining speed and high machining successful rate (or high successful machining product rate) as such beneficial characteristics.

Abstract: A laser processing method which can efficiently perform laser processing while minimizing the deviation of the converging point of a laser beam in end parts of an object to be processed is provided.

Abstract: Methods for ultrashort pulse laser processing of optically transparent materials. A method for scribing transparent materials uses ultrashort laser pulses to create multiple scribe features with a single pass of the laser beam across the material, with at least one of the scribe features being formed below the surface of the material. This enables clean breaking of transparent materials at a higher speed than conventional techniques. Slightly modifying the ultrashort pulse laser processing conditions produces sub-surface marks. When properly arranged, these marks are clearly visible with side-illumination and not clearly visible without side-illumination. In addition, a method for welding transparent materials uses ultrashort laser pulses to create a bond through localized heating. The ultrashort pulse duration causes nonlinear absorption of the laser radiation, and the high repetition rate of the laser causes pulse-to-pulse accumulation of heat within the materials.

Abstract: A method of cutting an object which can accurately cut the object is provided. An object to be processed 1 such as a silicon wafer is irradiated with laser light L while a light-converging point P is positioned therewithin, so as to form a modified region 7 due to multiphoton absorption within the object 1, and cause the modified region 7 to form a starting point region for cutting 8 shifted from the center line CL of the thickness of the object 1 toward the front face 3 of the object 1 along a line along which the object should be cut. Subsequently, the object 1 is pressed from the rear face 21 side thereof. This can generate a fracture from the starting point region for cutting 8 acting as a start point, thereby accurately cutting the object 1 along the line along which the object should be cut.

Abstract: A fiber mount device 2 includes a fiber sub-mount main body 31 that is made of ceramic transmitting a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength, a bonding pad 33 that is provided on the upper surface of the fiber sub-mount main body 31, and a laser absorption layer 32 that is provided on at least a part of the lower surface of the fiber sub-mount main body 31 and absorbs the laser beam having the predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: A process produces a 3-dimensional component (16) by selective laser melting (SLM), in which the component (16) is formed on a foundation with a surface, e.g., a platform (10) or a support, which in particular is a component of the same type which has already been produced previously, by successively melting layers of a first metal powder to form a sequence of stacked layers. The process is substantially simplified and made more flexible by virtue of the fact that the separation of the finished component (16) from the surface of the platform (10) or the support thereof is simplified by providing a separating layer (11) between the component (16) and the platform (10) or the support, this separating layer making it possible to separate the finished component (16) from the platform (10) or the support without damaging the finished component (16).

Abstract: An attachable optical component is aligned with a base optical component. The attachable optical component has a mounting surface interfacing with the base optical component and an exposed surface opposed to the mounting surface. Laser light is directed to the exposed surface of the attachable optical component for delivery to the mounting surface. The attachable optical component guides and homogenizes the laser light delivered to the mounting surface and uniformly heats a bonding feature between the mounting surface and the base optical component.

Abstract: A low-loss compact and a method for producing the compact are provided. A method for producing a compact by using coated soft magnetic powder that includes coated soft magnetic particles constituted by soft magnetic particles and insulating coatings coating outer peripheries of the soft magnetic particles includes a raw material preparation step and an irradiation step. In the raw material preparation step, a raw compact is prepared by press-forming coated soft magnetic powder. In the irradiation step, part of a surface of the raw compact is irradiated with a laser. Irradiating a part of a surface of a raw compact with laser increases the number of disrupted portions of conductive portions where constituent materials of the soft magnetic particles at the surface of the raw compact have become conductive to each other, and the loss of the compact can be decreased.

Abstract: A thermal management system for use in a vacuum is provided including a heat generation device and a heat dissipation device. A laser sintered first heat transfer panel is mounted to a surface of the heat generation device and a laser sintered second heat transfer panel is mounted to a surface of the heat dissipation device. The first and second heat transfer panels are positioned between the heat generation device and the heat dissipation device. A portion of the first heat transfer panel and a portion of the second heat transfer panel are interposed.

Abstract: A layered manufacturing method for forming a desired three-dimensional object by using a powder as a raw material. The method forms a desired solid body, which is employed in a layered manufacturing device, including a stage member having stage surface; a transparent member having an optical window to cover the stage surface to form an enclosed region together with the stage surface; and an exhaust system for exhausting gasses in the enclosed region. The optical window is positioned at a vertical upper direction when the enclosed region is formed.

Abstract: An oxide dispersion strengthening (ODS) method of a metallic material using a laser is provided, which includes melting a surface of a metallic matrix placed on a movable stage by irradiating a laser onto the surface (step 1), supplying an oxide dispersion strengthening (ODS) powder at a site of the matrix surface which is melt at step 1 (step 2), and cooling the matrix in which the ODS powder is supplied at step 2 (step 3). Because oxide particles are directly supplied into previously-made sheet or tube matrix, fabrication process is simplified, fabrication cost is reduced, and end product is fabricated efficiently.

Abstract: A method for forming ceramic articles for prototypes that involves the use of metal particles or metal-coated ceramic particles that are formed into ceramic articles using a laser engineered net shaping process. The metal particles or metal coating on the ceramic particles facilitates bonding between the ceramic particles to enable quick manufacture of ceramic articles using the laser engineered net shaping process. The ceramic articles may be ceramic core prototypes and may be used in a variety of different industries.

Abstract: A coating removal apparatus removes a coating from a surface. The apparatus has a movable scanning head and scanning optics. The scanning head is movable in one dimension, and the scanning optics adjust in two dimensions to compensate for movement of the scanning head to implement long range scanning with a uniform scanning pattern. Further, a surface roughness is determined by measuring specular and scattered reflections at various angles. For composite surfaces, the apparatus utilizes UV laser radiation and a controlled atmosphere to remove coating and alter the chemical characteristics at the surface.

Abstract: In joining an Fe-based metallic member comprising an Fe-based material and an Al-based metallic member comprising an Al-based material by a Zn-based brazing filler metal, a joined part of the Fe-based metallic member is heated at a temperature higher than a melting point of the Fe-based material.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus 1 includes a processing light source 3 emitting processing light; an observation light emitting unit 4 emitting observation light; optical fibers 19 conducting light having a plurality of wavelengths generated at an electronic component 2; a detecting unit 5 detecting the light conducted by the optical fibers 19; and a control unit 31 controlling a light emitting state of the processing light emitting unit 3. The optical fibers 19 are categorized into four groups, and disposed so as to surround an optical fiber 18 conducting the processing light. The optical fibers 19 categorized into the four groups are capable of conducting the observation light to the electronic component 2 every group.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of polishing and texturing surfaces thin-film photovoltaic cell substrates. The methods involve laser irradiation of a surface having a high frequency roughness in an area of 5-200 microns to form a shallow and rapidly expanding melt pool, followed by rapid cooling of the material surface. The minimization of surface tension causes the surface to re-solidify in a locally smooth surface. the high frequency roughness drops over the surface with a lower frequency bump or texture pattern remaining from the re-solidification.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pre-heating adjacent bond pads for soldering are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for soldering adjacent bond pads, the method including directing an ultraviolet light beam onto the bond pads from a first angle relative to the bond pads for a preselected duration, heating a solder, and depositing the solder onto the bond pads from a second angle relative to the bond pads during the preselected duration, wherein the second angle is different from the first angle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generatively producing or for repairing at least one area of a component, wherein a zone arranged downstream of a molten bath is post-heated to a post-heating temperature and the component is set to a base temperature, and also a device for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A golf club head of the present invention includes a face. The face has a score line groove, a fine groove, and a land area. A depth of the fine groove is 0.01 mm or greater and less than 0.03 mm. A width of the fine groove is 0.1 mm or greater and 0.3 mm or less. A pitch of the fine groove is 0.3 mm or greater and 0.7 mm or less. Preferably, the face further has a protruding part protruding beyond the land area. Preferably, the protruding part is provided on a top blade side of the fine groove. Preferably, the protruding part extends along the fine groove.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and systems for single-scan line-scan crystallization using superimposed scanning elements. In one aspect, the method includes generating a plurality of laser beam pulses from a pulsed laser source, wherein each laser beam pulse has a fluence selected to melt the thin film and, upon cooling, induce crystallization in the thin film; directing a first laser beam pulse onto a thin film using a first beam path; advancing the thin film at a constant first scan velocity in a first direction; and deflecting a second laser beam pulse from the first beam path to a second beam path using an optical scanning element such that the deflection results in the film experiencing a second scan velocity of the laser beam pulses relative to the thin film, wherein the second scan velocity is less than the first scan velocity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making metallic and/or non-metallic products 2, in particular dental products, by freeform sintering and/or melting, in which the products 2 are fabricated layer by layer from a material 5 that is applied layer by layer by means of a computer-controlled high-energy beam 7, in particular a laser or electron beam. In order to reduce production times, beam 7 irradiates predetermined positions P1 to P6 of a layer of a material 5 a plurality of time, namely m times, where m is a whole integer greater than 1. Each of said positions P1 to P6 is initially heated during the first irradiation to a temperature below the melting point Tmelt of the material 5, and during the mth irradiation to a temperature above said melting point and is completely melted over the entire thickness of the layer in such a way that the material (5) fuses at said position to the layer thereunder. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing said method.

Abstract: The present invention, among other things, relates to an apparatus (10) for working a surface (11) of a workpiece, in particular a metal workpiece, by means of laser radiation. The apparatus (10) is characterized by a scanner device (20), which is mounted in a rotationally immovable manner in the working apparatus (10) and is intended for shaping a laser beam that is to be deflected and positioned onto the surface to be worked, a control device for changing the orientation of the scanning direction of the laser beam shaped in the scanner device (20), and an optics element (40), which is movable about an axis of rotation (12), is arranged downstream of the scanner device (20) in the beaming direction of the laser beam and advantageously has a beam splitter device for splitting the laser beam into two or more beam parts (41, 42) and for deflecting and positioning the beam parts (41, 42) onto the surface (11) that is to be worked.

Abstract: A laser-based workpiece processing system includes sensors connected to a sensor controller that converts sensor signals into focused spot motion commands for actuating a beam steering device, such as a two-axis steering mirror. The sensors may include a beam position sensor for correcting errors detected in the optical path, such as thermally-induced beam wandering in response to laser or acousto-optic modulator pointing stability, or optical mount dynamics.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical device comprises applying a laser beam to a target area of the surface so as to selectively heat material of the surface thereby to provide transfer of material due to a surface tension gradient, wherein the surface is such that, when liquid, parts of the surface at higher temperatures have a higher surface tension than adjacent parts of the surface at lower temperatures.

Abstract: A laser beam irradiation apparatus includes a laser beam oscillation unit including a pulse laser beam oscillator for oscillating a pulse laser beam and a cycle frequency setting unit for setting the cycle frequency, an acousto-optic deflection unit for deflecting the optical axis of the pulse laser beam oscillated from the laser beam oscillation section, and a control unit for controlling the acousto-optic deflection unit. The control unit outputs a driving pulse signal having a predetermined time width including a pulse width of the pulse laser beam oscillated from the pulse laser beam oscillator to the acousto-optic deflection unit based on the cycle frequency setting signal from the cycle frequency setting section.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a hermetic container includes steps of bonding a frame member to a first substrate, by pressing the first substrate and the second substrate to each other by an electrostatic force generated between a first electrode and a second electrode by applying a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, and softening and melting the bonding material. Additional steps include cooling and solidifying the bonding material by simultaneously heating the bonding material with a local heating unit and moving the local heating unit, and increasing the potential difference between the first electrode and a segment of the second electrode, which is in a position at which the segment is heated by the local heating unit.