Diamond Laser Smoothing by Threshold Energy Density Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diamond smoothing methods, such as scaife polishing and laser polishing, face challenges in efficiently smoothing curved or complex diamond surfaces while minimizing the polished amount and manufacturing time and cost, particularly due to variations in crystal size, grade, and doping elements.
Innovation Solution
A diamond smoothing method that involves detecting the threshold energy density for laser-induced ablation and adjusting the irradiation energy density to within 1 to 15 times this threshold for precise surface smoothing, ensuring a polished amount and affected layer thickness of 2.0 μm or less, and a surface roughness of 0.2 μm or less, using laser light with a wavelength of 190-270 nm and an incidence angle of 25° or less.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If laser polishing is used to smooth curved or complicated diamond surfaces, then the applicability to complex shapes is improved, but the polished amount increases to several tens to hundreds of micrometers, requiring longer manufacturing time and higher cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the laser irradiation parameters by detecting the threshold energy density for ablation and controlling the irradiation energy density to be within 1 to 15 times this threshold. This parameter optimization enables effective smoothing with minimal material removal (2.0 μm or less), significantly reducing manufacturing time while maintaining applicability to complex diamond surfaces
2Adaptability or versatility
If laser polishing is used to smooth curved or complicated diamond surfaces, then the applicability to complex shapes is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to larger polished amount
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the irradiation energy density to be within 1 to 15 times the threshold energy density, the patent achieves effective ablation with minimal polished amount (2.0 μm or less). This parameter control reduces material removal requirements, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to process complex diamond surfaces
3Reliability
If high irradiation energy density is used to ensure ablation occurs for all diamond types, then the reliability of smoothing is improved, but the polished amount increases beyond necessary levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by detecting the threshold energy density for ablation and using this information to control the irradiation energy density within 1 to 15 times the threshold. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable ablation occurrence for different diamond types while minimizing the polished amount to 2.0 μm or less, avoiding excessive material removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the irradiation energy density parameter dynamically based on the detected threshold value, adjusting it to be within 1 to 15 times the threshold. This adaptive parameter adjustment ensures sufficient ablation for all diamond types while minimizing material loss
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively reduces the polished amount and achieves the desired surface roughness while minimizing the transmission of laser light into the diamond, resulting in a cost-effective and efficient smoothing process suitable for both polycrystalline and monocrystalline diamond surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating a laser light having a wavelength of about 190 nm-360 nm, onto the raised and recessed surface, and polishing and smoothing the raised and recessed surface by ablation that is caused to occur in the diamond by irradiation of the laser light onto the raised and recessed surface
Implementation Method 2
a phenomenon that a material onto which a laser light is irradiated is decomposed into molecules, atoms and plasmas, so as to be radiated
Data Source
AI summary
A diamond smoothing method of irradiating a laser light onto a raised and recessed surface of a diamond, so as to smooth the raised and recessed surface, by ablation that is caused to occur in the diamond by irradiation of the laser light onto the raised and recessed surface. The method includes: a threshold-energy-density detecting step of irradiating the laser light onto the raised and recessed surface, and changing an irradiation energy density of the laser light, so as to detect a threshold energy density as a lower threshold value of the irradiation energy density that causes the ablation to occur; and a smoothing processing step of executing a smoothing processing by irradiating the laser light onto the raised and recessed surface with a smoothing irradiation energy density that is set to be within a range from 1 to 15 times as large as the threshold energy density.