Processing system and method for continuous laser-induced crystal surface color stable construction

Abstract

The invention relates to a processing system for continuous laser-induced crystal surface color stable construction. The processing system comprises a laser focusing unit and a microscopic imaging unit, the 532nm continuous laser is connected with the laser focusing unit, light output by the 532nm continuous laser enters the laser focusing unit through propagation and is vertically emitted into the surface of a to-be-processed sample through the laser focusing unit, and the to-be-processed sample is formed by injecting Au ions into lithium tantalate crystals. The laser focusing unit is used for focusing continuous laser on the surface of the Au ion implanted lithium tantalate crystal so as to carry out color construction; and the microscopic imaging unit is confocal with the laser processing system and is used for observing the surface of a processed object in real time. According to the invention, the pulse laser is replaced by continuous laser.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of laser processing, and relates to a processing system and method for laser modification of crystal surface, in particular to a processing system and method for color stabilization of crystal surface by continuous laser induced ion implantation. Background Art

[0002] At present, coloring technology has specific applications in the fields of decorations, artworks, building materials, color barcode marking, etc. Traditional coloring processes such as heat treatment, electrochemistry, chemical impregnation, etc. have problems such as complex process flow, high processing cost, high waste generation, and poor processing flexibility.

[0003] Currently, researchers in this field use laser coloring technology to induce the formation of oxide films or periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on metal or semiconductor surfaces, so that the surface of the processed object changes color. However, current technical research mainly focuses on pulsed lasers, such as femtosecond lasers and nanosecond lasers, and the equipment is expensive and not suitable for industrial development.

[0004] In summary, the coloring methods in the existing technology have defects such as high processing cost and complex processing facilities, and are not suitable for industrial production due to environmental impact and practicality issues.

[0005] After searching, no prior art documents identical or similar to the present invention have been found. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to provide a processing system and method for stabilizing the color of a crystal surface by using continuous laser induction, which has low processing cost, is suitable for industrial production, and is pollution-free to the environment.

[0007] The present invention solves the practical problem by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0008] A processing system for continuous laser-induced color stabilization of a crystal surface comprises: a laser focusing unit and a microscopic imaging unit;

[0009] The 532nm continuous laser is connected to a laser focusing unit. The output light of the 532nm continuous laser enters the laser focusing unit after propagation, and is vertically hit into the surface of the sample to be processed through the laser focusing unit. The sample to be processed is a lithium tantalate crystal implanted with Au ions. The laser focusing unit focuses the continuous laser on the surface of the lithium tantalate crystal implanted with Au ions to perform color construction.

[0010] The microscopic imaging unit is confocal with the laser processing system and is used for real-time observation of the surface of the processed object.

[0011] Moreover, the laser focusing unit comprises: a laser electric control box, a 532nm continuous laser, an optical switch, a half-wave plate, a reflector, a first beam splitter, a second beam splitter, and a focusing objective lens connected in sequence;

[0012] The laser electric control box controls the 532nm continuous laser to emit 532nm continuous laser. After the 532nm continuous laser is incident on the half-wave plate and the reflector in sequence through the optical switch, it is irradiated on the first beam splitter. After the first beam splitter, a part of the light is reflected downward and focused by the objective lens, irradiated on the surface of the sample to be processed, and reflected by the surface of the sample to be processed. The reflected light passes through the first beam splitter, the second beam splitter and the lens in sequence and is finally imaged in the CCD. The processing optical path is used for focusing processing of the sample surface; the other part of the light is blocked through the first beam splitter.

[0013] Moreover, the microscopic imaging unit comprises: a CCD camera, a lens for focusing, a first beam splitter, a second beam splitter and an LED lamp;

[0014] The light emitted by the LED lamp passes through the second beam splitter, and a part of the light is reflected and propagates downward, passes through the first beam splitter, enters the focusing objective lens, and is focused on the surface of the sample to be processed. After being reflected by the surface of the sample to be processed, it passes through the first beam splitter, the second beam splitter and the lens in sequence to enter the CCD camera, presenting the surface morphology of the processed object; the other part of the light is blocked by the second beam splitter.

[0015] Moreover, the microscopic imaging unit is located above the laser focusing unit, and the laser focusing unit is vertically arranged. By utilizing the confocal system of the processing light path and the imaging light path, the changes in the surface color and surface morphology of the processed object can be observed in real time during the processing.

[0016] Moreover, a six-axis electric translation stage is arranged below the focusing objective lens for placing the sample to be processed; the six-axis electric translation stage and the optical switch are connected to a computer, and are linked by computer control to control the laser point scanning and line scanning, change the laser irradiation time and processing cycle, and perform coloring processing of various patterns.

[0017] Moreover, the 532nm continuous laser is connected to a laser electric control box, and the electric control box is provided with a laser power adjustment knob for adjusting the laser power.

[0018] A method for processing a continuous laser-induced crystal surface color stabilization structure comprises the following steps:

[0019] Step 1: After all the equipment is turned on, the computer controls the movement of the six-axis electric translation stage to focus the 532nm wavelength continuous laser on the surface of the gold ion-implanted lithium tantalate crystal sample;

[0020] Step 2: Turn on the microscopic imaging unit, use the LED light to focus and image the surface of the object to be processed, and control the position of the focusing lens to make the imaging system and the laser processing system co-focus, so as to observe the processing process in real time;

[0021] Step 3: Adjust the laser power of the electric control box to 20W, start the control program, import the pattern in CAD into the control software, and use the computer to control the linkage of the six-axis electric translation stage and the optical switch to perform point scanning and line scanning to achieve pattern engraving;

[0022] Step 4: Adjust the laser control box to change the laser power from 20W to 70W, so as to achieve a gradual change from light yellow to orange, light purple, purple, and blue, and perform coloring in different colors;

[0023] Step 5: Rotate the half-wave plate at the same time to control the direction of the LIPSS stripes on the pattern and achieve flexible control of the pattern morphology.

[0024] Advantages and beneficial effects of the invention:

[0025] 1. The continuous laser of the present invention is aimed at metal ion implantation crystals, and does not involve other metal materials or semiconductor materials. The resonance absorption effect of the metal nanoparticles injected into the crystal on the continuous laser is used to damage the crystal surface lattice, reduce the threshold value of the surface modification for the laser peak power, and thus reduce the requirements of the surface coloring for the laser equipment, realize the replacement of the pulse laser by the continuous laser, reduce the equipment cost, and make the industrialization of the laser coloring technology possible.

[0026] 2. In the process of laser coloring, the present invention adjusts the energy density of the laser through the laser electric control box, thereby affecting the resonance absorption intensity of the nanoparticles in the crystal, thereby adjusting the lattice arrangement of the metal ion implanted crystal and constructing different colors on the surface of the processed object. With the use of a six-axis electric translation stage, the flexibility of processing is improved, making the pattern design more free.

[0027] 3. In the laser coloring process of the present invention, due to the resonance absorption of laser by metal nanoparticles, an enhanced electromagnetic field is generated around the nanoparticles, and in conjunction with the change of the surface lattice, a striped LIPSS structure generated by the close arrangement of gold nanoparticles is generated below the surface of the crystal, changing the surface morphology of the crystal. Under the influence of the stripes, the lattice arrangement is not easy to change with environmental changes, which improves the stability of the color construction on the crystal surface and makes the coloring durable. The direction of the stripes can be changed by changing the laser polarization, which is convenient for flexible adjustment of the morphology structure.

[0028] 4. The present invention proposes a processing system and method for stabilizing the color of a crystal surface by using continuous laser induction, using a continuous laser with a laser focusing unit, and placing the sample to be processed on a six-axis electric translation stage. The laser coloring process completely consumes electrical energy, saves raw materials, does not require organic solvents, is pollution-free and environmentally friendly.

[0029] 5. The present invention adds a confocal microscopic imaging system to the laser focusing processing device, which facilitates processing while achieving real-time observation of the material surface processing conditions, ensuring the accuracy of the processing process and facilitating efficient laser processing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the device for the processing method.

[0031] Description of reference numerals:

[0032] 1-532nm continuous laser; 2-laser electric control box; 3-optical switch; 4-half-wave plate; 5-reflector; 6-first beam splitter; 7-second beam splitter; 8-LED lamp; 9-CCD camera; 10-lens; 11-focusing objective lens; 12-six-axis electric translation stage; 13-computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0034] A continuous laser induced crystal surface color stable construction processing system, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes: a laser focusing unit and a microscopic imaging unit,

[0035] The 532nm continuous laser is connected to a laser focusing unit. The output light of the 532nm continuous laser enters the laser focusing unit after propagation, and is vertically hit into the surface of the sample to be processed through the laser focusing unit. The sample to be processed is a lithium tantalate crystal implanted with Au ions. The laser focusing unit focuses the continuous laser on the surface of the lithium tantalate crystal implanted with Au ions to perform color construction.

[0036] The microscopic imaging unit is confocal with the laser processing system and is used for real-time observation of the surface of the processed object.

[0037] In this embodiment, the laser focusing unit includes: a laser electric control box, a 532nm continuous laser, an optical switch, a half-wave plate, a reflector, a first beam splitter, a second beam splitter, and a focusing objective lens connected in sequence;

[0038] The laser electric control box controls the 532nm continuous laser to emit 532nm continuous laser. After the 532nm continuous laser is incident on the half-wave plate and the reflector in sequence through the optical switch, it is irradiated on the first beam splitter. After the first beam splitter, a part of the light is reflected downward and focused by the objective lens, irradiated on the surface of the sample to be processed, and reflected by the surface of the sample to be processed. The reflected light passes through the first beam splitter, the second beam splitter and the lens in sequence and is finally imaged in the CCD. The processing optical path is used for focusing processing of the sample surface; the other part of the light is blocked through the first beam splitter.

[0039] In this embodiment, the microscopic imaging unit includes: a CCD camera, a lens for focusing, a first beam splitter, a second beam splitter and an LED lamp;

[0040] The light emitted by the LED lamp passes through the second beam splitter, and a part of the light is reflected and propagates downward, passes through the first beam splitter, enters the focusing objective lens, and is focused on the surface of the sample to be processed. After being reflected by the surface of the sample to be processed, it passes through the first beam splitter, the second beam splitter and the lens in sequence to enter the CCD camera, presenting the surface morphology of the processed object; the other part of the light is blocked by the second beam splitter.

[0041] The microscopic imaging unit is located above the laser focusing unit, and the laser focusing unit is vertically arranged. By utilizing the confocal system of the processing light path and the imaging light path, the changes in the surface color and surface morphology of the processed object can be observed in real time during the processing, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the processing process.

[0042] In this embodiment, a six-axis electric translation stage is arranged below the focusing objective lens for placing the sample to be processed; the six-axis electric translation stage and the optical switch are connected to a computer and linked via computer control to control the laser point scanning and line scanning, change the laser irradiation time and processing cycle, and facilitate flexible operation for coloring processing of various patterns.

[0043] In this embodiment, the 532nm continuous laser is connected to a laser electric control box, and the electric control box is provided with a laser power adjustment knob for adjusting the laser power.

[0044] The functions of each optical device in the system are further explained below:

[0045] 1-532nm continuous laser, as the light source of processing laser, produces 532nm continuous laser;

[0046] 2-Laser electric control box, connected to the continuous laser, used to control the output power of the continuous laser;

[0047] 3- Optical switch, connected to the computer, used to control the propagation and cutoff of light;

[0048] 4- Half-wave plate: The half-wave plate in the laser processing optical path is used to adjust the polarization direction of the passing laser;

[0049] 5-Reflector, which changes the laser path;

[0050] 6- The first beam splitter divides the light into two directions: reflection and transmission;

[0051] 7- The second beam splitter divides the light into two directions: reflection and transmission;

[0052] 8-LED lamp, as the light source for observing the light path, produces white light;

[0053] 9-CCD camera, connected to the computer, to observe the surface processing of the sample;

[0054] 10- Lens, which clearly images the sample surface into the CCD;

[0055] 11-focusing objective lens, which focuses the laser beam on the sample surface for processing;

[0056] 12-six-axis electric translation stage, connected to the computer to control the movement and rotation of the sample;

[0057] 13- Computer, controls the optical switch, six-axis motorized translation stage and CCD.

[0058] A method for processing a continuous laser-induced crystal surface color stabilization structure comprises the following steps:

[0059] Step 1: After all the equipment is turned on, the computer controls the movement of the six-axis electric translation stage to focus the 532nm wavelength continuous laser on the surface of the gold ion-implanted lithium tantalate crystal sample;

[0060] Step 2: Turn on the microscopic imaging unit, use the LED light to focus and image the surface of the object to be processed, and control the position of the focusing lens to make the imaging system and the laser processing system co-focus, so as to observe the processing process in real time;

[0061] Step 3: Adjust the laser power of the electric control box to 20W, start the control program, import the pattern in CAD into the control software, and use the computer to control the linkage of the six-axis electric translation stage and the optical switch to perform point scanning and line scanning to achieve pattern engraving;

[0062] Step 4: Adjust the laser control box to change the laser power from 20W to 70W, so as to achieve a gradual change from light yellow to orange, light purple, purple, and blue, and perform coloring in different colors;

[0063] The color of the processing process is also affected by the laser scanning cycle and the laser scanning speed. The above color changes are carried out under a point scanning cycle of 400nm and a scanning time of 50ms.

[0064] Step 5: Rotate the half-wave plate at the same time to control the direction of the LIPSS stripes on the pattern and achieve flexible control of the pattern morphology.

[0065] The working principle of the present invention is:

[0066] The resonant absorption phenomenon of metal nanoparticles mainly involves the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect. When laser irradiates the surface of metal nanoparticles, their excess electrons are excited, generating surface plasmon resonance, leading to energy exchange between light and metal, and causing a strong electromagnetic field enhancement around the particles.

[0067] Through this effect, the present invention uses gold ion implanted lithium tantalate crystals as the object to be processed, and a continuous laser with a wavelength of 532nm as the light source, and the wavelength corresponds to the resonance absorption peak of gold nanoparticles. Therefore, when light interacts with metal nanoparticles, a plasma resonance effect is caused on the surface of the gold nanoparticles, which causes a strong electromagnetic field enhancement effect around the particles, destroying the surface lattice and causing surface coloring. The laser processing power is adjusted to change the electromagnetic field around the surface particles, thereby changing the lattice arrangement and causing changes in the constructed color. In addition, in conjunction with the surface lattice changes, the metal nanoparticle resonance absorption effect generates a layer of striped LIPSS structure generated by the dense arrangement of gold nanoparticles below the surface of the crystal, changing the surface morphology of the crystal, making the constructed crystal lattice more stable and not easy to recover from fading.

[0068] Compared with femtosecond pulse laser and nanosecond pulse laser, which rely on short pulses and high peak power to induce periodic structure on the crystal surface and realize color construction on the crystal surface, the present invention utilizes metal ion implantation into the crystal to realize the replacement of pulse laser with continuous laser in terms of surface color construction.

[0069] The innovation of the present invention lies in:

[0070] The present invention aims at gold ion implantation in crystal materials, utilizes the resonance absorption effect of gold nanoparticles on 532nm continuous laser, reduces the threshold value of surface modification for laser peak power, thereby reducing the requirements of surface coloring for laser equipment, reduces processing costs, and thus accelerates the industrial development of laser coloring.

[0071] The present invention adjusts the laser energy density and the resonance absorption intensity of the gold nanoparticles to adjust the lattice arrangement and construct different colors on the surface of the processed object. With the use of a six-axis electric translation stage, the flexibility of processing is improved and the pattern design is more free.

[0072] In the laser coloring process of the present invention, the gold nanoparticles below the surface of the crystal produce a densely packed striped LIPSS structure as the lattice near the surface changes, changing the surface morphology of the crystal, making the changed lattice less susceptible to environmental influences and recovering, improving the stability of the color constructed on the surface of the crystal, and achieving high coloring durability. The stripe direction can be changed by changing the laser polarization, making it convenient to flexibly adjust the morphology structure.

[0073] The present invention adopts continuous laser processing, and the laser coloring processing process completely consumes electric energy, saves raw materials, does not require organic solvents, is pollution-free and environmentally friendly.

[0074] The present invention realizes the surface color construction of gold ion-implanted nanoparticles through high-precision continuous laser focusing, microscopic imaging unit and six-axis electric translation stage. The six-axis electric translation stage is linked with the optical switch to make the pattern design free, and the imaging system and the laser processing system are co-focused to realize real-time observation of the processing process.

[0075] It should be emphasized that the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative rather than restrictive. Therefore, the present invention includes but is not limited to the embodiments described in the specific implementation modes. Any other implementation modes derived by those skilled in the art based on the technical solutions of the present invention also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A continuous laser induced crystal surface color stabilization processing system, characterized by: include: Laser focusing unit and microscopic imaging unit; The 532nm continuous laser is connected to a laser focusing unit. The output light of the 532nm continuous laser enters the laser focusing unit after propagation, and is vertically hit into the surface of the sample to be processed through the laser focusing unit. The sample to be processed is a lithium tantalate crystal implanted with Au ions. The laser focusing unit focuses the continuous laser on the surface of the lithium tantalate crystal implanted with Au ions to perform color construction. The microscopic imaging unit is confocal with the laser processing system and is used for real-time observation of the surface of the processed object.

2. A continuous laser induced crystal surface color stabilization processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laser focusing unit comprises: a laser electric control box, a 532nm continuous laser, an optical switch, a half-wave plate, a reflector, a first beam splitter, a second beam splitter, and a focusing objective lens connected in sequence; The laser electric control box controls the 532nm continuous laser to emit 532nm continuous laser. After the 532nm continuous laser is incident on the half-wave plate and the reflector in sequence through the optical switch, it is irradiated on the first beam splitter. After the first beam splitter, a part of the light is reflected downward and focused by the objective lens, irradiated on the surface of the sample to be processed, and reflected by the surface of the sample to be processed. The reflected light passes through the first beam splitter, the second beam splitter and the lens in sequence and is finally imaged in the CCD. The processing optical path is used for focusing processing of the sample surface; the other part of the light is blocked through the first beam splitter.

3. A continuous laser induced crystal surface color stabilization processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microscopic imaging unit comprises: a CCD camera, a lens for focusing, a first beam splitter, a second beam splitter and an LED lamp; The light emitted by the LED lamp passes through the second beam splitter, and a part of the light is reflected and propagates downward, passes through the first beam splitter, enters the focusing objective lens, and is focused on the surface of the sample to be processed. After being reflected by the surface of the sample to be processed, it passes through the first beam splitter, the second beam splitter and the lens in sequence to enter the CCD camera, presenting the surface morphology of the processed object; the other part of the light is blocked by the second beam splitter.

4. A continuous laser induced crystal surface color stabilization processing system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The microscopic imaging unit is located above the laser focusing unit, and the laser focusing unit is vertically arranged. By utilizing the confocal system of the processing light path and the imaging light path, the changes in the surface color and surface morphology of the processed object can be observed in real time during the processing.

5. The continuous laser induced crystal surface color stabilization processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A six-axis electric translation stage is arranged below the focusing objective lens for placing samples to be processed; the six-axis electric translation stage and the optical switch are connected to a computer and linked by computer control to control laser point scanning and line scanning, change the laser irradiation time and processing cycle, and perform coloring processing of various patterns.

6. A continuous laser induced crystal surface color stabilization processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The 532nm continuous laser is connected to a laser electric control box, and the electric control box is provided with a laser power adjustment knob for adjusting the laser power.

7. A method for processing a crystal surface by continuous laser induced color stabilization, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1: After all the equipment is turned on, the computer controls the movement of the six-axis electric translation stage to focus the 532nm wavelength continuous laser on the surface of the gold ion-implanted lithium tantalate crystal sample; Step 2: Turn on the microscopic imaging unit, use the LED light to focus and image the surface of the object to be processed, and control the position of the focusing lens to make the imaging system and the laser processing system co-focus, so as to observe the processing process in real time; Step 3: Adjust the laser power of the electric control box to 20W, start the control program, import the pattern in CAD into the control software, and use the computer to control the linkage of the six-axis electric translation stage and the optical switch to perform point scanning and line scanning to achieve pattern engraving; Step 4: Adjust the laser control box to change the laser power from 20W to 70W, so as to achieve a gradual change from light yellow to orange, light purple, purple, and blue, and perform coloring in different colors; Step 5: Rotate the half-wave plate at the same time to control the direction of the LIPSS stripes on the pattern and achieve flexible control of the pattern morphology.

Images