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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M11738/01
Title: MICRO LASER CUTTING OF THIN SECTIONS
Principal Investigator: O'Neill, Professor W
Other Investigators:
Sutcliffe, Professor CJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
BOC Coherent UK Ltd Exitech Ltd
Gillette Management INC Pre Nexus Migration
Department: School of Engineering
Organisation: University of Liverpool
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 December 1998 Ends: 30 November 2001 Value (£): 299,099
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Lasers & Optics
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
We propose new micro-laser cutting developments that will increase quality and range of micro-cut parts whilst expanding the knowledge base of laser-materials interactions with intensities up to 10Et12 W/cm^2 and wavelengths down to 355nm. The investigation will theoretically an empirically examine the design and operation of high speed micro-jets necessary for the production of laser cuts with kerf widths as low as 5 microns. These process investigation have been made possible through the opportunity to research hitherto un-explored cutting regimes with the provision of a new q-switched diode pumped Nd:YAG laser source capable of providing diffraction limited pulses at wavelengths of 1060nm, 532nm and 355nm. Compared with typical intensities for conventional co2 and Nd:YAG lasers of 10E+7 W/cm^2 this new laser source permits cutting operations at new and un-explored intensity limits.The proposed combination of optimised micro-jets, small spot sizes, novel process strategies and enhanced coupling efficiencies through the provision of sufficient pulse energy at 1060nm, 532nm and 355 nm will enable significant advances to be made in the field of micro-laser cutting of a wide variety of materials including 304 stainless steel alumina, zirconium and polymethylmethacrylate.
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Organisation Website: http://www.liv.ac.uk