During my bachelor's degree I had a solid state physics course so I'd say I'm familiar with the basics.berkeman said:
Great! So please do the reading in the Google searches I suggested, and see if that gets you going. If you have questions about any of the equations or descriptions in that reading, please post links here with your specific questions. Thanks.DariusP said:
The main laser parameters are wavelength, pulse duration, energy, beam divergence, and spot size. These parameters determine the characteristics of the laser beam and its effectiveness in different applications.
The wavelength of a laser beam determines its color and determines its interaction with different materials. Different wavelengths are better suited for different applications, such as cutting, welding, or medical procedures.
Pulse duration refers to the length of time the laser beam is active. It is an important parameter as it affects the amount of energy delivered to the target and the precision of the laser beam. Shorter pulse durations are more suitable for precision cutting and welding, while longer pulse durations are better for heat treatment and drilling.
The energy of a laser beam determines its intensity, or power per unit area. Higher energy levels can result in higher cutting speeds and deeper penetration, but can also lead to heat damage or material splatter. It is important to carefully control the energy level for different applications.
Beam divergence refers to the spreading of the laser beam as it travels, while spot size refers to the diameter of the laser beam at a specific distance. The two are inversely related, meaning a smaller spot size corresponds to a larger beam divergence. A smaller spot size is desirable for precision applications, while a larger spot size is more suitable for welding or heat treatment.