Angular dependence of coaxial and quasi-coaxial monitoring systems for process radiation analysis in laser materials processing

Process monitoring is becoming increasingly important in laser-based manufacturing and is of particular importance in the field of additive manufacturing [e.g. Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF)]. Process monitoring enables a reduction of production costs and a lower time-to-market. Furthermore, the data can be used to create a digital twin of the workpiece. There are already many established processing head-integrated monitoring systems for such applications as the multispectral analysis of process radiation. However, the monitoring of complex signals in systems with F-Theta scanner lenses is very challenging and requires specially adapted optics or measuring sensors. In this paper a potential arrangement for spectroscopy-based process monitoring in pre-objective scanning is presented. The process radiation was monitored using a coaxial and a quasi-coaxial observation system. The measurements were carried out on both a solid and a powder coated sample of 2.4668 (Inconel 718) to show the potential use of these systems in laser-based additive manufacturing. In order to obtain comprehensive data about the process signal, the process zone was analyzed at different angles of incidence (AOI) of the laser using a high-speed camera (HSI) and a spectrometer. The connection between the HSI and the spectral measurements is discussed. The ionization of the material and the formation of a plasma was observed and found to lose intensity as the angle of incidence increases. A model of the system that demonstrates the intensity of the emitted radiation of the plasma was created. It enables the measured values to be corrected. The corrected measurement data can be used to detect impurities or a non-ideal energy input across the entire processing field, which is a move towards robust process monitoring.