Optimization of laser cleaning conditions using multimode short-pulse radiation

• Published in: Optical and quantum electronics Vol. 52; no. 6
• Main Authors: Kravchenko, Ya. V., Klimentov, S. M., Derzhavin, S. I., Mamonov, D. N., Karpov, N. V., Mayorov, A. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Cleaning; Computer Communication Networks; Electrical Engineering; Fundamentals of Laser Assisted Micro- & Nanotechnologies 2019; Laser beams; Lasers; Nanosecond pulses; Neodymium lasers; Optical Devices; Optics; Optimization; Photonics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Semiconductor lasers; Substrates; YAG lasers; Short laser pulses; Multimode fiber; Ablation; Laser cleaning; Explosive boiling; Ablation-reactive effect
• ISSN: 0306-8919; 1572-817X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11082-020-02399-1

Aiming at significant enhancement of laser cleaning efficiency and productivity, we studied several typical experimental cases including removal of contaminated layers from absorbing surfaces, paying special attention to elimination of the thick rusty layers, and removal of absorbing coatings from transparent substrates. Nanosecond pulses of Nd:YAG laser were used in all the cases at variation of the mode content of the laser beam which was achieved by applying a multimode fiber delivery of radiation. Both, air and water ambient were used in the experiments. The results are discussed in terms of plasma microexplosions in the domain of the substrate–layer interface and the vapor bubbles formation inside the thick rusty layer impregnated with liquid.