Non-contact acoustic tests based on nanosecond laser ablation: Generation of a pulse sound source with a small amplitude

A method to generate a pulse sound source for acoustic tests based on nanosecond laser ablation with a plasma plume is discussed. Irradiating a solid surface with a laser beam expands a high-temperature plasma plume composed of free electrons, ionized atoms, etc. at a high velocity throughout ambient air. The shockwave generated by the plasma plume becomes the pulse sound source. A laser ablation sound source has two features. Because laser ablation is induced when the laser fluence reaches 10¹²–10¹⁴ W/m², which is less than that for laser-induced breakdown (10¹⁵ W/m²), laser ablation can generate a lower sound pressure, and the sound source has a hemispherical radiation pattern on the surface where laser ablation is generated. Additionally, another feature is that laser-induced breakdown sound sources can fluctuate, whereas laser ablation sound sources do not because laser ablation is produced at a laser beam–irradiation point. We validate this laser ablation method for acoustic tests by comparing the measured and theoretical resonant frequencies of an impedance tube.     

Acoustic Diagnostics of Laser Sparks in the Atmosphere

The results of an experimental study of the parameters of acoustic radiation generated by a laser spark made by focusing of a CO₂ high-power pulsed laser radiation outdoors in a slightly dusty atmosphere are presented. An analysis of the acoustic pulse spectrum shows that the position of its maximum is determined by the local plasma-formation radius, and the position of its low-frequency minimum is determined by the laser spark length. A new method of laser spark diagnostics in real time is suggested that enables one to estimate the plasma-formation size distribution function and the transmission factor for laser radiation propagated in the atmosphere under conditions of laser breakdown. The results obtained are in agreement with the available experimental data.     

Lidar measurement of constituents of microparticles in air by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses

We experimentally demonstrated remote sensing of the constituents of microparticles in air by combining laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and lidar, using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses. Laser pulses of 70 fs duration and 130 mJ energy generated filaments when focused at a focal length of 20 m and the pulses irradiated artificial saltwater aerosols in air at a 10 Hz pulse repetition rate. Na fluorescence was observed remotely at a distance of 16 m using a 318 mm diameter Newtonian telescope, a spectrometer, and an intensified CCD camera. These results show the possibility of remote measurement of the constituents of atmospheric particles, such as aerosols, clouds, and toxic materials, by LIBS-lidar using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses.     

1444-nm Q-switched pulse generator based on Nd:YAG/V:YAG microchip laser

Q-switched microchip laser emitting radiation at eye-safe wavelength 1444 nm was designed and realized. This laser was based on composite crystal which consists of 4 mm long Nd:YAG active medium diffusion bonded with 1 mm long V:YAG saturable absorber. The diameter of the composite crystal was 5 mm. The initial transmission of the V:YAG part was T ₀ = 94% @ 1440 nm. The microchip resonator consists of dielectric mirrors, directly deposited onto the composite crystal surfaces. These mirrors were specially designed to ensure desired emission at 1444 nm and to prevent parasitic lasing at other Nd³⁺ transmissions. The output coupler with reflectivity 94% for the generated wavelength 1444 nm was placed on the V³⁺-doped part. The laser was operating under pulsed pumping for the duty-cycle up to 50%. With increasing value of mean pumping power a strong decrease of generated pulse length was observed. The shortest generated pulses were 4.2 ns long (FWHM). Stable pulses with energy 34 μJ were generated with repetition rate up to 1.5 kHz. Corresponding pulse peak power was 8.2 kW. The wavelength of linearly polarized TEM₀₀ laser mode was fixed to 1444 nm.     

Formation of a ripple pattern at a water/silicon interface using an oscillating bubble

A single femtosecond laser pulse was irradiated at a water/silicon interface, and the processed surface was investigated. Rings surrounded by ripples were found within the irradiated spot. The diameter of the rings ranged from 500 nm to 10 μm. It is proposed that acoustic waves, caused by the oscillating motion of bubbles near the water/silicon interface, deformed the melting silicon surface. In the present work, a pulse (pulse width: 150 fs) was tightly focused in water to induce optical breakdown, and a bubble was generated at an arbitrary spot. When the power density was below the ablation threshold and above the melting threshold at the silicon surface and set above the breakdown threshold at the focus in water, a pattern was generated at a specific place and with a specific size. PACS 79.20.Ds; 42.62.Cf     

The effects of process parameters on spatter deposition in laser percussion drilling

This paper reports on the characterisation and analysis of spatter deposition during laser drilling in Nimonic 263 alloy for various laser processing parameters using a fibre-optic delivered 400 W Nd:YAG laser. The principal findings are a large proportion of the spatter (approx. > 70%) was deposited due to the initial laser pulses (before beam breakthrough) required to drill a through-hole. Short pulse widths, low peak powers and high pulse frequencies generated smaller spatter deposition areas. At high pulse frequencies, the spatter distribution/thickness can be altered as a result of laser-ejected material interaction. Focal plane positions between −0.5 and +1.5 mm produced relatively similar spatter areas of about 14 mm². As a result of the reduction in the material removed per pulse, a longer focal length of 160 mm generated smaller areas of spatter deposition in comparison to a shorter focal length of 120 mm. In addition, a generic relationship between the spatter area and d_entrance/d_exit with increasing total laser energy has been established.     

High-energy sub-nanosecond optical pulse generation with a semiconductor laser diode for pulsed TOF laser ranging utilizing the single photon detection approach

Bulk and quantum well laser diodes with a large equivalent spot size of d _a /Γ _a  ≈ 3 µm and stripe width/cavity length of 30 µm/3 mm were realized and tested. They achieved a pulse energy and pulse length of the order of ~1 nJ and ~100 ps, respectively, with a peak pulse current of 6–8 A and a current pulse width of 1 ns. The 2D characteristics of the optical output power versus wavelength and time were also analyzed with a monochromator/streak camera set-up. The far-field characteristics were studied with respect to the time-homogeneity and energy distribution. The feasibility of a laser diode with a large equivalent spot size in single photon detection based laser ranging was demonstrated to a non-cooperative target at a distance of a few tens of meters.     

Spectral and energy characteristics of acoustic emission in the laser radiation breakdown of water

Results from experimental investigations of acoustic emission from the optical breakdown zone in liquid formed by laser radiation at a wavelength of 532 nm are presented. The linear dependence of the acoustic pressure on the laser pulse energy is revealed. It is shown that the effect of an additional source of sound at a frequency of 37 kHz enhances the acoustic emission from the optical breakdown zone.     

Specific features of the acoustic emission upon the optical breakdown in liquid induced by the radiation of Nd:YAG laser

The acoustic emission from the zone of the optical breakdown in liquid is experimentally studied. The spectral characteristics and energy of the acoustic wave that is generated in liquid due to expansion of the plasma formation initiated by the optical breakdown at a wavelength of 532 nm are analyzed. Two spectral peaks that characterize the acoustic emission and the low-frequency shift of the low-frequency peak owing to an increase in the laser pulse energy are demonstrated. In general, the linear dependence of the acoustic pressure on the laser pulse energy is observed. The acoustic data can be used to reconstruct function R(t) that is in agreement with dependences R(t) resulting from the optical data. This circumstance is important for the study of breakdown in opaque media.     

Entwicklung leistungsfähiger Stickstofflaser mit abgeschmolzenem Laserrohr

For an increase of the laser pulse energy from longitudinally excited multiple electrodes tubes, experiments and model calculations have been accomplished. A variation of the electrode spacing in the laser tube has shown, that a maximum pulse energy could be achieved with about 40 mm electrode spacing. If barium titanat capacitors with a dielectric constant of 10000 in the pulse forming unit were applied, a voltage pulse transform occured enabling an increase of the laser power up to 50%. With a sealed off operated laser tube of 100 cm active length, a laser peak power of 600 kW and a pulse duration of 10 ns could be achieved. A tube with 200 cm active length generated a pulse power of 1.2 MW. The decrease of laser pulse energy with increasing pulse repetition rate can be explained by the decrease of impulse breakdown voltage. For an increase of the lifetime of laser tubes, appropriate technologies for the production of the tube have been developed.     

Infrared laser multiple photon dissociation of thiophene in gas phase

Infrared laser multiple photon excitation/dissociation of Thiophene (Th) was studied as a function of Th pressure, laser pulse energy, pulse duration and added buffer gas. While the excitation process was probed via optoacoustic technique, the stable reaction products were analyzed by IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Although C₂H₂ and CH₃CCH were the major hydrocarbon products under all experimental conditions, the distribution of these, as well as higher hydrocarbons of lower yield, was found to be very much dependent upon the experimental conditions. The laser induced reaction under dielectric breakdown conditions with either high substrate pressure or laser energy produced significant amount of CS₂ and unidentified polymer as well. We propose a mechanism involving breakage of the C–S bond in Th to form an unstable 1,5-diradical which further decomposed via different channels. However, at higher substrate pressures, radical-Th reactions complicated the overall chemistry of the system. Evidences for collisional energy-pooling and rotational hole-filling were also obtained.     

Behavior of bubbles induced by the interaction of a laser pulse with a metal plate in water

When a pulsed laser beam is focused onto a metal plate in water, a high-pressure pulse can be generated. This paper investigates the formation and behavior of bubbles that appear after the high-pressure-pulse generation. A 200-mJ, second-harmonic Nd:YAG laser pulse (duration of 7 ns) is incident on a stainless steel (SUS 304) plate to form a 1.1-mm-diameter spot. A bubble is formed and expands over the spot, which generates a hemispherical blast wave around the spot. The bubble grows in a period of the order of 400 s after the laser pulse to reach a radius of about 5 mm. The behavior of the bubble is strongly affected by the thickness of the plate. When the plate thickness is 10 mm, the bubble keeps its hemispherical shape during the period of the first bounce. However, with a thin plate, for example of 0.1-mm thickness, the bubble is pinched and its head separates; moreover, another bubble is generated on the other side of the plate. Since these bubbles have different bounce motions, the acoustic field between 400 and 900 s significantly differs depending on the thickness of the plate. PACS 47.40.Nm; 68.45.-v; 42.62.Cf     

Femto-, Picosecond,and Terahertz Optoacoustics

The possibilities offered by the optoacoustic monitoring of the sea shelf are considered, based on the development of reliable laser sources of femto- and picosecond pulse duration and new ways of detecting and processing high-frequency signals. The basis of these new possibilities is a volume source of sound produced as a result of the breakdown of the medium under the action of ultrashort laser pulses. An overview of new worldwide achievements is presented. The results from a number of model experiments on the optoacoustic monitoring of low concentrations of gas impurities, and on the precise monitoring of the sea shelf, are interpreted.     

Dazzling effect of repetitive short pulse laser on TDI CCD camera

A dazzling experiment was performed on a 64-stage TDI CCD camera using a 20 Hz repetition frequency picoseconds pulse laser, during which we found a new dazzling effect in which the fringes appeared in the video of the camera beside the saturation spot induced by the laser. We considered it to be the scattered light of the repetition frequency laser pulse to have induced the phenomenon. Width and visibility of the fringes recorded the information of the scattered light, such as repetitive frequency, pulse width and intensity distribution. With the assumption that the laser pulse width is less than one stage integral time of TDI CCD, width expressions for the fringes and space between the fringes were given using the repetitive frequency of laser pulse, row output frequency and integral stage number of the TDI CCD camera.     

Gaussian laser beam tailoring using acoustooptic cell

Profile shaping of a Gaussian laser beam by an acoustic wave is well described using Collins integral and ABCD matrix formalism. It is shown by a numerical simulation that the relative width of the laser beam to the ultrasonic wavelength and the acoustic pressure inside the acoustooptic cell act on the light intensity diffraction pattern.Obtained results show that the output intensity profile differs from the incident Gaussian beam shape, and it is more broadened with an increase in the acoustic pressure. The intensity of a focused laser beam is transformed in a flat form in the central region if the acoustic pressure is proprely controlled.On the other hand the intensity longitudinal range (ILR) of the flat shape is discussed along the propagation axes, we have found the ILR is about 2 mm for a focal length distance f=100 mm.     

Electrical breakdown of solid dielectrics and rocks on the trailing edge of a voltage pulse

An analysis of modern notions of breakdown in condensed media opens up new possibilities for a decrease in the microsecond voltages for solid dielectric breakdown. Investigations of solid dielectric and rock breakdowns on the trailing edge of a voltage pulse in a sharply nonuniform field demonstrate that the pulse amplitude and the slope of the working voltage pulse edge can be decreased significantly.     

长脉冲keV X射线源的辐射特征

 利用神光Ⅱ第九路2 ns长脉冲激光束作用厚钛固体靶，研究了产生的keV X射线源的辐射区域和总辐射功率的时间行为。结果表明：在长脉冲激光作用厚固体靶时，硬X射线线辐射功率的时间行为以及辐射体积的时间行为与激光脉冲波形一致；长脉冲时，等离子体2维膨胀效应非常显著，keV X射线线辐射的径向辐射区域在激光焦斑尺寸附近达到饱和，导致X射线线辐射功率出现饱和，且keV X射线线辐射的辐射体积正比于焦斑尺寸的3次方。从理论和实验角度研究了在同样入射激光能量下，辐射功率随激光焦斑尺寸的变化关系，发现keV X射线线辐射的饱和辐射功率正比于焦斑尺寸的5/3次方，理论结果与实验结果一致。并讨论了相同基频输出激光能量下，keV X射线辐射总功率随激光波长的变化关系，发现即使考虑了倍频效率的影响，短波长激光仍然有利于keV X射线的发射。     

Nonlinear optoacoustic transformation in the system of dielectric substrate/submicron metal coating/liquid

The optoacoustic method has been shown to be an accurate technique for the measurement of the properties of submicron metal coatings deposited on a dielectric substrate, i.e., mirrors. The method has been previously theoretically described in terms of a linear model of optoacoustic transformation in a system substrate/coating/liquid. The goal of the present work was to determine the limits at which the linear model is still applicable. The modification of the laser induced acoustic signal profiles and transfer functions of optoacoustic transformation versus the laser fluence was studied for two liquids: ethanol and water.     

Time-resolved laser optoacoustic tomography of inhomogeneous media

The methods of time-resolved laser optoacoustic tomography of inhomogeneous media and related problems are reviewed. Time-resolved laser optoacoustic tomography allows one to measure the distribution of light absorption in turbid media with depth resolution up to several microns in real time. The theory of laser excitation of acoustic waves by absorbing of light in particles, dispersed in transparent, light-absorbing or scattering media, is developed. The distribution of light absorption can be obtained from the temporal course of acoustic pressure. Two schemes of acoustic wave detection — in the medium under testing (direct detection) and in transparent medium, coupled to the investigated one (indirect detection) — are discussed. In both cases the reconstruction of light absorption can be made by simple calculations. Test experiments with homogeneous and layered media confirm the proposed theoretical models and the possibility of using the proposed experimental schemes. Light absorption in homogeneous, inhomogeneous media and in absorbing particles dispersed in turbid media was investigated. The experimental setup allows one to measure the absorption coefficients over the range 1-500 cm^–1 with the depth resolution 10–15 m over the depth 1–1.5 mm.     

Laser-plasma electron acceleration in dielectric capillary tubes

Electron beams and betatron X-ray radiation generated by laser wakefield acceleration in long plasma targets are studied. The targets consist of hydrogen filled dielectric capillary tubes of diameter 150 to 200 microns and length 6 to 20?mm. Electron beams are observed for peak laser intensities as low as 5×10¹⁷?W/cm². It is found that the capillary collects energy outside the main peak of the focal spot and contributes to keep the beam self-focused over a distance longer than in a gas jet of similar density. This enables the pulse to evolve enough to reach the threshold for wavebreaking, and thus trap and accelerate electrons. No electrons were observed for capillaries of large diameter (250???m), confirming that the capillary influences the interaction and does not have the same behaviour as a gas cell. Finally, X-rays are used as a diagnostic of the interaction and, in particular, to estimate the position of the electrons trapping point inside the capillary.