Electrodynamic simulation of laser beam propagation in waterjet-guided laser processing

Abstract

Waterjet-guided material processing is a technique that combines the capabilities of laser material processing with water jetting. In this study, we have investigated laser beam propagation in a waterjet column by numerically solving the Maxwell equations and the heat equation. A 1064 nm laser and its frequency-doubled 532 nm laser were chosen for the simulations, and the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method was employed for solving the Maxwell equations. The coupling effect of the laser and waterjet was simulated with different numerical apertures and different waterjet column diameters. Extensive investigations on laser absorption phenomena regarding the outer surface geometries of the waterjet (cylindrical shape with and without sinusoidal perturbation), and temperature distributions were also conducted. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first electrodynamic simulation of laser beam propagation and interaction with a water column in waterjet-guided laser processing. Some interesting findings concerning laser beam absorption characteristics inside a waterjet column were revealed.

Influence of laminar water column disturbance on laser energy transmission in water-jet guided laser

“…It is concluded that the smaller the diameter of water column, the more uniform the energy distribution of laser energy in water column within the range of spot diameter energy incident nozzle. Deng [7] studied the propagation of laser in water column by numerically solving Maxwell 's equations. Two different wavelengths of 1064 nm and 532 nm were used as simulation light sources.…”

Simulation of the Dynamic Characteristics of High-Speed Waterjet Using SIMULINK

“…The waterjet technology uses the energy converter -nozzles to convert the energy of the water medium pressure into the kinetic energy of the high-speed waterjet. By adding solid abrasive materials (namely the abrasive) to the waterjet, it could form abrasive water jet (AWJ) with high penetration ability [1][2][3]. Since AWJ has the ability to cut and process high hardness, high brittleness, high toughness materials and other composite materials that are difficult to process, it has gradually become an advanced machining tool that has been widely used in aerospace, machinery manufacturing, automobile, national defense, military and nuclear industries.…”