Feasibility investigations on a novel micro-embossing using laser-driven flyer

A novel micro-plastic microfabrication technique for embossing is presented, which uses laser-driven flyer as the loading method in forming. Experiments were performed by allowing the laser-driven flyer to impact the thin film, which is placed above a micromold. Micro-channel with dimension of 160 μm×45 μm was successfully fabricated on copper foil surface using laser-driven flyer. The effects of laser energy on deformation mechanism were investigated experimentally. Surface roughness changes on formed sample were discussed. The novel technique holds promise for achieving precise, well-controlled, low-cost, high efficiency of three-dimensional metallic microstructures. In addition, this technique can cold form high strength or difficult materials.     

Development of an efficient coherent optical source at 6.04 μm

Efficiency as high as 26% is obtained for generation of mid-infrared radiation at 6.04 μm by frequency doubling of ammonia laser emission at 12.08 μm in a 15 mm long type-I cut AgGaSe₂ crystal. The NH₃ laser used for this work is optically pumped by a commercial TEA CO₂ laser operating on 9.22 μm and produces pulsed output of ∼210 mJ with a duration of ∼200 ns at 12.08 μm. The generated radiation at 6.04 μm is separated out from the residual radiation at 12.08 μm by exploiting the principle of polarization dependent diffraction of reflection grating.     

2.7 μm fluorescence radiative dynamics and energy transfer between Er3+ and Tm3+ ions in fluoride glass under 800 nm and 980 nm excitation

A detailed study of the fluorescence radiative dynamics and energy transfer processes between Er and Tm ions in the Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ doped fluoride glass is reported. The fluorescence properties of 2.7 μm emission, other infrared and visible emissions are investigated under different selective laser excitations. Three Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters, energy transfer microparameters and efficiency have been determined and discussed. It is found that present Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ doped fluoride glass possesses large calculated emission cross section (8.98×10^–21 cm²) around 2.7 μm. The more suitable pumping scheme for laser applications at 2.7 μm laser is 980 nm excitation for Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ doped fluoride glass.     

Pulsed infrared radiation transmission through hollow silica waveguides

Transmission measurements of Q-switched and free-running Er:YAG laser radiation, at 2.94 μm and free-running Ho:YAG laser radiation, at 2.06 μm, through hollow silica waveguides of 750 and 1000 μm core diameter were performed. Attenuation measurements were obtained as a function of the laser energy input and as a function of the bending curvature. The output beam quality was also studied as a function of the focal length of the coupling lens and the overall launching conditions for straight waveguides using the appropriate beam profiler.     

Mid-infrared luminescence and energy transfer of Dy3+/Tm3+ doped fluorophosphate glass

This work reports the observation of emissions at 2.9 μm, 1.8 μm and 1.47 μm from Dy³⁺/Tm³⁺ codoped fluorophosphate glass upon excitation of a conventional 800 nm laser diode. Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters and radiative properties of Dy³⁺ ions in present glasses were calculated using the Judd–Ofelt theory. The mechanism and microparameters of energy transfer processes were investigated based on photoluminescence performance and lifetime measurements. The Dy³⁺/Tm³⁺ codoped fluorophosphate glass possessing advantageous spectroscopic characteristics as well as excellent thermal stability is a promising candidate for an efficient 2.9 μm laser.     

An anti-reflective 1D rectangle grating on GaAs solar cell using one-step femtosecond laser fabrication

We report the fabrication of the anti-reflective micro/nano-structure on absorbing layer of GaAs solar cell surface using an efficient approach based on one-step femtosecond laser irradiation. Morphology of the microstructures and reflectance of the cell irradiated are characterized with SEM and spectrometer to analyze the influence of laser processing parameters on the change of microstructures induced and the reflectance. It has been found that the rectangle grating micro/nano-structure with a period of 700 nm and width of 600 nm is obtained neatly with laser pulse energy of 30.5 μJ(pulse duration is 130 fs, center wavelength is 800 nm, scanning speed is 2.2 mm/s and spot diameter is 22 µm). Reflectance has been suppressed to 23.6% with rectangle structure from 33% of planar cell. In addition, simulation using a finite-difference-time domain(FDTD) method results show that the rectangle grating micro/nano-structure can effectively suppress the reflection within large wavelength ranges.     

YAG laser-induced β-BaB2O4 crystalline dot formation in Sm2O3–BaO–B2O3 glasses

A continuous-wave (CW) YAG laser (power: 0.75–0.9 J/s, irradiation time: 15 s–15 min) with a wavelength of 1064 nm is irradiated to 11.1Sm₂O₃·44.4BaO·44.4B₂O₃ glass, and the formation of β-BaB₂O₄ (β-BBO) crystalline dots with a diameter of 30–150 μm is confirmed from micro-Raman spectra. β-BBO crystals with around 200 μm length grow towards the interior of the glass. The incorporation of Sm³⁺ into β-BBO crystalline dots is suggested from micro-Raman and fluorescence spectra. The second harmonic generation is detected from the array (10×10=100 dots) of β-BBO crystalline dots, indicating that each crystalline dot formed by YAG laser irradiation is a nonlinear optical crystal. CW YAG laser irradiation to glass with Sm³⁺ ions is a nice technique for a spatially controlled crystal growth.     

Upconversion luminescence dynamics of Er-doped fluoride crystals for optical converters

Erbium (Er)-doped fluoride crystals (YLF, BYF, CaF₂, etc.) are well-known as active media for solid-state lasers emitting in IR and VIS spectral domains, and as materials for efficient near-IR to VIS upconversion. In this paper, we report on the study of conversion of IR light from an ～1.5 μm spectral region to an ～1 μm spectral domain in low-phonon RE-doped fluoride crystals CaF₂ (RE=Er³⁺ Yb³⁺). Energy transfer processes taking place at selective pulsed and CW laser excitation are investigated experimentally. It is shown that in the CaF₂:RE crystals efficient conversion of IR radiation from the ～1.5 μm region to the ～1 μm region occurs, and these crystals are perspective for using in spectral converters for enhancing solar cell efficiency.     

Femtosecond laser processing of indium-tin-oxide thin films

Micro- and nano-scale crystalline indium-tin-oxide (c-ITO) patterns fabricated from amorphous ITO (a-ITO) thin films on a glass substrate using a (low NA 0.26) femtosecond laser pulse that is not tightly focused are demonstrated. Different types of c-ITO patterns are obtained by controlling the laser pulse energies and pulse repetition rate of a femtosecond laser beam at a wavelength of 1064 nm: periodic micro c-ITO dots with diameters of ~1.4 μm, two parallel c-ITO patterns with/without periodic-like glass nanostructures at a laser scanning path and nano-scale c-ITO line patterns with a line width ~900 nm, i.e. ~1/8 of the focused beam׳s diameter (7 μm at 1/e²).     

Picosecond laser cutting and drilling of thin flex glass

We investigate the feasibility of cutting and drilling thin flex glass (TFG) substrates using a picosecond laser operating at wavelengths of 1030 nm, 515 nm and 343 nm. 50 μm and 100 μm thick AF32^®Eco Thin Glass (Schott AG) sheets are used. The laser processing parameters such as the wavelength, pulse energy, pulse repetition frequency, scan speed and the number of laser passes which are necessary to perform through a cut or to drill a borehole in the TFG substrate are studied in detail. Our results show that the highest effective cutting speeds (220 mm/s for a 50 μm thick TFG substrate and 74 mm/s for a 100 μm thick TFG substrate) are obtained with the 1030 nm wavelength, whereas the 343 nm wavelength provides the best quality cuts. The 515 nm wavelength, meanwhile, can be used to provide relatively good laser cut quality with heat affected zones (HAZ) of <25 μm for 50 μm TFG and <40 μm for 100 μm TFG with cutting speeds of 100 mm/s and 28.5 mm/s, respectively. The 343 nm and 515 nm wavelengths can also be used for drilling micro-holes (with inlet diameters of ⩽75 µm) in the 100 μm TFG substrate with speeds of up to 2 holes per second (using 343 nm) and 8 holes per second (using 515 nm). Optical microscope and SEM images of the cuts and micro-holes are presented.     

Simulation of the acceleration mechanism by light-propulsion for the powder particles at laser direct material deposition

The results of the numerical analysis of heat- and mass-transfer processes at powder particles' motion in a gas flow and laser beam by light-propulsion force during the laser cladding and direct material deposition are presented. Under consideration were the stainless steel particles, the radiation power range of the CO₂ laser were 1000, 3000 and 5000 W. Finally, the particles of 45 μm in diameter reach the maximum velocity of about 80, 220, 280 m/s. It is shown that as particles are heated by the laser up to the temperature approaching the boiling point, the particles' velocity in the light field by the vapor recoil pressure may increase significantly. The radius of the particles slightly varies due to the evaporation; the losses in the clad material mass are negligibly small. Comparisons of numerical results with known experimental data on light-propulsion acceleration of single particles (aluminum, aluminum oxide and graphite) under the influence of pulse laser radiation are also presented. Particle acceleration resulting from the laser evaporation depends on the particle diameter, powder material properties, focusing degree and attenuation laser beam intensity by the direction of its propagation.     

Broadband 2.84 μm luminescence properties and Judd–Ofelt analysis in Dy3+ doped ZrF4–BaF2–LaF3–AlF3–YF3 glass

2.84 μm luminescence with a bandwidth of 213 nm is obtained in Dy³⁺ doped (ZrF₄–BaF₂–LaF₃–AlF₃–YF₃) ZBLAY glass. Three intensity parameters and radiative properties have been determined from the absorption spectrum based on the Judd–Ofelt theory. The 2.84 μm emission characteristics and energy transfer mechanism upon excitation of a conventional 808 nm laser diode are investigated. The prepared Dy³⁺ doped ZBLAY glass possessing high predicted spontaneous transition probability (45.92 s^?1) along with large calculated emission cross section (1.17×10^?20 cm²) has potential applications in 2.8 μm laser.     

Micromachined silicon lenses for terahertz applications

Silicon microlenses are a very important tool for coupling terahertz (THz) radiation into antennas and detectors in integrated circuits. They can be used in a large array structures at this frequency range reducing considerably the crosstalk between the pixels. Drops of photoresist have been deposited and their shape transferred into the silicon by means of a Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) process. Large silicon lenses with a few mm diameter (between 1.5 and 4.5 mm) and hundreds of μm height (between 50 and 350 μm) have been fabricated. The surface of such lenses has been characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), resulting in a surface roughness of about ∼3 μm, good enough for any THz application. The beam profile at the focal plane of such lenses has been measured at a wavelength of 10.6 μm using a tomographic knife-edge technique and a CO₂ laser.     

Positive influence of Tm3+ on effective Er3+: 3 μm emission in fluoride glass under 980 nm excitation

Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ singly doped and codoped new fluoride glasses were prepared by traditional melt-quenching method. Efficient 3 μm emission was obtained under 980 nm laser excitation. It is worthy to notice that one of the two ions can be the sensitizer to the other one by depressing the Er³⁺: 1.5 μm emission through the energy transfer process from Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2 level to Tm³⁺:³F₄ level. On the basis of measured absorption spectra, the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters and radiation emission probability were calculated to evaluate the spectroscopic properties. Additionally, the micro-parameters together with the phonon assistance of Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2 → Tm³⁺:³F₄ and Er³⁺:⁴I_11/2 → Tm³⁺:³H₅ processes were quantitatively analyzed by using Dexter model. The theoretical micro-parameters results meet well with the experiments which indicates that Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ codoped fluoride glass is a potential kind laser glass for 3 μm laser.     

2 μm passive Q-switched mode-locked Tm3+:YAP laser with single-walled carbon nanotube absorber

We report the first demonstration, to our knowledge, of passive Q-switched mode-locking in a Tm³⁺:YAP laser, operating in the 2 μm broadly spectral region formed with a compact Z-flod cavity. A transmission-type single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber (SWCNT–SA) is used for the initiation of the pulse generation. The repetition rate of the Q-switched envelope was 60 kHz at the pump power of 8.6 W. The mode-locked pulses inside the Q-switched pulse envelope had a repetition rate of ～92 MHz. A maximum average output power of 761 mW was obtained. The dependence of the operational parameters on the pump power was also investigated experimentally.     

Real-space observation of photonic nanojet in dielectric microspheres

The three-dimensional real-space observation of photonic nanojet in different microspheres illuminated by a laser is reported. The finite-difference time-domain technique is used to perform the three-dimensional numerical simulation for the dielectric microspheres. The key parameters of photonic nanojet are measured by using a scanning optical microscope system. We reconstruct the three-dimensional real-space photonic nanojets from the collected stack of scanning images for polystyrene microspheres of 3 μm, 5 μm, and 8 μm diameters deposited on a glass substrate. Experimental results are compared to calculations and are found in good agreement with simulation results. The full width at half-maximum of the nanojet is 331 nm for a 3 μm microsphere at an incident wavelength of 633 nm. Our investigations show that photonic nanojets can be efficiently imaged by a microsphere and straightforwardly extended to rapidly distinguish the nano-objects in the far-field optical system.     

Influence of stiffeners on plate vibration and radiated noise excited by turbulent boundary layers

The influence of stiffeners on plate vibration and noise radiation induced by turbulent boundary layers is investigated by wind tunnel measurements. Plates with and without stiffeners are tested under the flow speed of 60 m/s, 71 m/s and 86 m/s, respectively. The stiffeners are set either perpendicular or parallel to the direction of the free stream. Measured vibration and noise levels are compared with theoretical calculations, where wall pressure cross-spectra are described by the Corcos model. For the plates tested, it is evident that stiffeners perpendicular to the direction of the free stream could increase noise radiation, but have almost no influence on vibration level of plates.     

Fabrication of microstructures in Foturan glass using infrared femtosecond laser pulses and chemical etching

In this study, a method for the fabrication of microstructures on the surface and inside Foturan glass by femtosecond laser-induced modification was developed. This technique was followed by heat treatment to crystallize the modified area, and the specimen was then placed in an 8% HF acid solution for chemical etching. The fabricated microstructures were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrated that the etching time is an important parameter in the fabrication of microstructures on Foturan glass. An example of a tapered U-shaped microchannel with a minimized neck diameter of about 5 μm at the central point for cell detection is presented.     

Effect of amplitude and frequency of ultrasonic irradiation on morphological characteristics control of calcium carbonate

We have previously reported on the morphological control of calcium carbonate by changing synthetic conditions such as temperature, pH and degree of supersaturation in liquid reaction. The present study reports the effect of amplitude and frequency of ultrasonic irradiation on the particle size of calcium carbonate using a horn type ultrasonic apparatus at two different frequencies. The calcium carbonate precipitated by mechanical stirring had a particle size of about 20 μm. By contrast, the particle size of vaterite formed under ultrasonic irradiation was about 2 μm, with a specific surface area of 25–30 m²/g. The major polymorph of calcium carbonate formed by ultrasonic irradiation was vaterite with some calcite present. For 40 kHz ultrasonic irradiation, the specific surface area of the calcium carbonate increased with increasing amplitude. The particle size of vaterite formed at this frequency was about 2 μm, and its distribution was sharper than that obtained at 20 kHz. The mode diameter of the synthesized vaterite was found to decrease with increasing amplitude at 40 kHz.     

High power Nd:YAG lasers operating at 1.3 μm wave band

The laser properties of 1.3 μm spectral region in Nd:YAG crystal and their simultaneous dual wavelength threshold condition are investigated. Three types of high power 1.3-μm Nd:YAG quasi continuous wave (QCW) lasers, which operate at 1.319 μm or 1.338 μm single wavelength, 1.319 μm and 1.338 μm simultaneous dual wavelength, are achieved with a maximum average output power of 138 W, 132 W and 120 W, respectively.