An efficient small scale TEA CO2 laser for material surface modification

Abstract

An efficient small scale TEA (Transversely Excited Atmospheric) CO2 laser has been considered, The laser was a low flowing, UV preionized, pulsed system. Specific design of the head as well as the electrical circuit ensure the laser operation with high efficiency and reliability. Nonconventional CO2/Y, Y = N-2/H-2; H-2/He and H-2 gas mixtures showed relatively high energy output. CO2/N-2/H-2 mixture as the most superior one produces output energy and peak power of 220 mJ and 1.40 MW, respectively. High-energy output of the laser was employed for surface modification of austenitic stainless steel AISI 3 16 and titanium nitride (TiN) coating deposited on the same steel substrate. Used laser peak power densities of 100 and 170 MW/cm(2) have induced the morphology changes of AISI 316 steel and TiN coating, respectively.