This paper presents investigation results of drilling of metal microcomponents by copper vapor laser. The laser consists of master oscillator - spatial filter - amplifier system, electronics switching with digital control of laser pulse repetition rate and quantity of pulses, x-y stage with computer control system. Mass of metal, removed by one laser pulse, is measured and defined by means of diameter and depth of holes. Interaction of next pulses on drilled material is discussed. The difference between light absorption and metal evaporation processes is considered for drilling and cutting. Efficiency of drilling is estimated by ratio of evaporation heat and used laser energy. Maximum efficiency of steel cutting is calculated with experimental data of drilling. Applications of copper vapor laser for manufacturing is illustrated by such microcomponents as pin guide plate for printers, stents for cardio surgery, encoded disks for security systems and multiple slit masks for spectrophotometers.

Date Published: 29 June 2001
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 4274, Laser Applications in Microelectronic and Optoelectronic Manufacturing VI, (29 June 2001); doi: 10.1117/12.432525

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 4274:
Laser Applications in Microelectronic and Optoelectronic Manufacturing VI
Malcolm C. Gower; Henry Helvajian; Koji Sugioka; Jan J. Dubowski, Editor(s)