Dual-Laser Optical Processing for Transparent Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical processing methods require a large amount of energy for deep and large-volume processing, as short-pulse laser beams are inefficient due to energy absorption and reflection by residual gas or plasma, limiting their ability to perform large-volume processing effectively.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a first laser beam to create a focal point inside the object, generating plasma or gas, and then using a second laser beam with light-absorbing wavelengths to irradiate the plasma or gas, which absorbs optical energy and expands the processed mark, allowing for large-volume processing with reduced energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If short-pulse laser beams are used for processing transparency material, then processing precision is improved, but energy consumption increases due to absorption and reflection by residual gas or plasma

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first generating plasma or gas inside the object to be processed using a first laser beam before introducing the second laser beam. This pre-created plasma/gas environment enables the second laser beam to be efficiently absorbed, solving the energy waste problem of short-pulse lasers while maintaining processing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the laser beam used for processing. Instead of using short-pulse lasers that cause energy loss, a second laser beam with a specific wavelength that is absorbed by plasma or gas is introduced. This parameter change transforms the energy interaction mechanism, allowing efficient energy transfer to the material through plasma/gas mediation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If short-pulse laser beams are used to form processed marks, then manufacturing precision is improved, but processing volume is limited due to energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidprocessing volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces plasma or gas as an intermediary substance inside the object to be processed. This intermediary mediates the energy transfer from the laser beam to the material, enabling deep and large-volume processing while maintaining precision. The plasma/gas absorbs the second laser beam's energy and transfers it efficiently, overcoming the volume limitation of conventional short-pulse laser processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If second laser beams are introduced after first laser beams, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by first generating plasma or gas with the first laser beam, then subsequently introducing the second laser beam. This sequential approach improves energy efficiency while the integrated control system manages the complexity of coordinating two laser beams, achieving a balance between performance and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach enables efficient large-volume processing with a smaller amount of energy by keeping the plasma or gas inside the processed mark, where it absorbs the second laser's energy, increasing internal pressure and causing material expansion and dispersion, thus achieving deeper and larger processing areas.

Implementation Method 1

irradiates the object to be processed with the first laser beams to cause multiphoton absorption in a transparency material that does not absorb optical energy under normal circumstances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMultiphoton absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a second light-emitting unit configured to emit a second process light with a light-absorbing wavelength for plasma or gas generated inside the object to be processed, by the first process light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption by plasma or gas: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11482826B2Optical processing apparatus, optical processing method, and optically-processed product production method

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An optical processing apparatus, an optical processing method, and an optically-processed product production method. The optical processing apparatus and the optical processing method includes emitting a first process light to a focal point set inside an object to be processed, using a first light-emitting unit, and emitting a second process light during a period of time in which plasma or gas is generated inside the object to be processed, by the first process light, using a second light-emitting unit. The processed product production method includes emitting a first process light to a focal point set inside an object to be processed, using a first light-emitting unit, and emitting a second process light during a period in which plasma or gas is generated inside the object to be processed by the first process light, using a second light-emitting unit.