Laser Ablation Monitoring Using Scattered-Light Volume Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser processing systems require significant time to measure ablation volume during processing, making real-time control of laser irradiation challenging due to the need for three-dimensional imaging and calculation, which is not feasible during active processing.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing system that uses a high-speed camera to obtain ablation images from scattered light and applies deep learning to estimate ablation volume quickly, enabling immediate control of laser beam output based on the estimated geometry and processing parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three-dimensional laser microscope or white light interference microscope is used to measure ablation volume, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases to approximately 10 seconds requiring discontinuation of laser processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical microscopy systems (three-dimensional laser microscope, white light interference microscope) with a camera-based imaging system that captures scattered light patterns. This substitution enables ablation volume estimation through image processing and deep learning algorithms, reducing measurement time from approximately 10 seconds to a fraction of a second while maintaining real-time processing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (ablation image) of the processed portion by capturing scattered light patterns with a camera. This image serves as a proxy for direct volumetric measurement, allowing the system to estimate ablation volume from the captured image data through deep learning models, thereby avoiding the need for time-consuming three-dimensional scanning
2Speed
If image acquisition is performed during laser processing, then real-time control is enabled, but image quality deteriorates due to laser interference and processing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces scattered light as an intermediary that carries information about the ablation process. Instead of directly imaging the processed portion under laser irradiation, the system captures the scattered light pattern which indirectly represents the ablation state. This intermediary approach enables real-time monitoring without the interference that would occur with direct imaging during laser processing
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
Enables rapid determination of ablation volume and geometry, allowing for real-time adjustment of laser processing parameters, such as intensity and pulse width, to optimize processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
obtain an ablation image of a processed portion of the processing object based on scattered light from the processed portion
Implementation Method 2
processing laser beam irradiation device configured to irradiate a processing object with processing laser beam and perform ablation processing
Data Source
AI summary
A laser processing system is equipped with a processing laser beam irradiation device configured to irradiate a processing object with processing laser beam and perform ablation processing. The laser processing system is configured to obtain an ablation image of a processed portion of the processing object based on scattered light from the processed portion during processing of the processing object with the processing laser beam and to estimate an ablation volume by applying a learning result obtained by deep learning of a relationship between the ablation image and the ablation volume to the obtained ablation image.