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2008
Conference Paper
Titel
Disk, fiber, rod, slab: New laser concepts open new application perspectives
Abstract
High Power Lasers have been used for years in corresponding applications. Constantly new areas of application and new processes have been demonstrated, developed and transferred to fruitful use in industry and society. In the last years diode pumped solid state lasers in the multi-kW-power regime at beam qualities not far away from the diffraction limit have been developed. Consequently, a new area of applicability has opened. Many advancements can be realized even in classical applications like cutting (remote, 1m-radiation), welding (high speed, remote), and surface treatment, however also new processes are established increasingly on that basis. Among others, the most important are 3-d metal build up in metal, ceramics and biocompatible polymers, selective laser melting, micro and nano-processing (ablation, structuring, polishing) and bio-photonic applications in diagnosis, microscopy and medical therapy. Remote contactless materials analysis by Laser induced breakdo wn spectroscopy LIBS allows new concepts and system in the recycling of metals and other raw materials. At the edge of new frontiers, the new concepts lead to applications in space technology (e.g. intra-satellite communication), medical treatment (e.g. ps-lasers for tissue ablation) or x-ray laser- and EUV-source development. In laser applications systems could be developed with higher efficiency leading also to new perspectives for increased productivity, e.g. in combined processing. Quality control is increasingly demanded by the applying industries, however applications focus on the control of the full production system rather then on the process or the product. Higher resolution of coaxial process control systems in time and space combined with new strategies in signal processing are expected to generate the basis for a next level of laser applications.