Nouvelles applications avec la technologie laser.

The use of ultrafast lasers for industrial manufacturing has been growing rapidly due to the convergence of increased average powers and system robustness which is making this technology increasingly viable in a production environment. However due to the higher costs associated with this technology it is vital that the ultrafast laser solution must enable new applications or provide significant added value to existing applications.

This presentation describes the new ultrafast laser facility at the National Centre for Laser Applications in NUI Galway, Ireland, that is focussed on the development of applications based on picosecond and femtosecond lasers.

A number of micromachining applications that have been investigated using this facility will be highlighted.  The role of assist media in the laser machining process will also be discussed and novel observations related to the laser induced liquefaction of assist gases will be presented.

A. Conneely

NCLA National Centre for Laser Applications,NUI Galway, Ireland
Tel:    +353 91 493595
alan.conneely@nuigalway.ie