Optimization of femtosecond laser processing in liquids

In this paper we analyze femtosecond laser processing of metals in liquids searching for optimal conditions for predictable ablation. Incident laser pulses are stretched or compressed, self-focused and scattered on bubbles and on surface waves in the liquid environment. Influence of these effects on the laser intensity distribution on the target surface is discussed and optimal processing parameters are suggested

Excimer laser processing of inkjet-printed and sputter-deposited transparent conducting SnO2:Sb for flexible electronics

The feasibility of low-temperature fabrication of transparent electrode elements from thin films of antimony-doped tin oxide (SnO2:Sb, ATO) has been investigated via inkjet printing, rf magnetron sputtering and post-deposition excimer laser processing. Laser processing of thin films on both glass and plastic substrates was performed using a Lambda Physik 305i excimer laser, with fluences in the range 20–100 mJ cm− 2 reducing sheet resistance from as-deposited values by up to 3 orders of magnitude. This is consistent with TEM analysis of the films that shows a densification of the upper 200 nm of laser-processed regions

Selective laser sintering of hydroxyapatite reinforced polyethylene composites for bioactive implants and tissue scaffold development

Selective laser sintering (SLS) has been investigated for the production of bioactive implants and tissue scaffolds using composites of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with hydroxyapatite (HA) with the aim of achieving the rapid manufacturing of customized implants. Single-layer and multilayer block specimens made of HA-HDPE composites with 30 and 40 vol % HA were sintered successfully using a CO2 laser sintering system. Laser power and scanning speed had a significant effect on the sintering behaviour. The degree of particle fusion and porosity were influenced by the laser processing parameters, hence control can be attained by varying these parameters. Moreover, the SLS processing allowed exposure of HA particles on the surface of the composites and thereby should provide bioactive products. Pores existed in the SLS-fabricated composite parts and at certain processing parameters a significant fraction of the pores were within the optimal sizes for tissue regeneration. The results indicate that the SLS technique has the potential not only to fabricate HA-HDPE composite products but also to produce appropriate features for their application as bioactive implants and tissue scaffolds

SIMPEL: Circuit model for photonic spike processing laser neurons

We propose an equivalent circuit model for photonic spike processing laser neurons with an embedded saturable absorber---a simulation model for photonic excitable lasers (SIMPEL). We show that by mapping the laser neuron rate equations into a circuit model, SPICE analysis can be used as an efficient and accurate engine for numerical calculations, capable of generalization to a variety of different laser neuron types found in literature. The development of this model parallels the Hodgkin--Huxley model of neuron biophysics, a circuit framework which brought efficiency, modularity, and generalizability to the study of neural dynamics. We employ the model to study various signal-processing effects such as excitability with excitatory and inhibitory pulses, binary all-or-nothing response, and bistable dynamics.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure

LADAR vision technology for automated rendezvous and capture

LADAR Vision Technology at Autonomous Technologies Corporation consists of two sensor/processing technology elements: high performance long range multifunction coherent Doppler laser radar (LADAR) technology; and short range integrated CCD camera with direct detection laser ranging sensors. Algorithms and specific signal processing implementations have been simulated for both sensor/processing approaches to position and attitude tracking applicable to AR&C. Experimental data supporting certain sensor measurement accuracies have been generated

Effect of high-pressure rolling followed by laser processing on mechanical properties, microstructure and residual stress distribution in multi-pass welds of 304L stainless steel

Multi-pass fusion welding by a filler material (wire) is normally carried out to join thick steel sections used in most engineering applications. Multiple thermal cycles from a multi-pass weld resulted in a variable distribution of residual stress field across the weld and through the thickness. Presence of tensile residual stresses can be detrimental to the integrity and the service behaviour of the welded joint. In addition to a complex distribution of residual stress state, multi-pass welds also form dendritic grain structure, which are repeatedly heated, resulting in segregation of alloying elements. In this research, microstructural refinement with modification of residual stress state was attempted by applying post-weld cold rolling followed by laser processing and then cold rolling. The residual stress was determined non-destructively by using neutron diffraction. Post-weld cold rolling followed by laser processing was carried out to induce recrystallization of the cold rolled grains. Microstructural characterisation indicates a significant grain refinement near the capping pass. However, post-weld cold rolling followed by laser processing reinstates the lock-in stress. In this study, it was demonstrated that a complete recrystallized microstructure with compressive state of stress can be formed when a further cold rolling is applied on the laser processed, recrystallized microstructure