Prediction of Crater Size in Drilling and Texturing by Pulsed Laser Ablation

Abstract

In laser processing of surfaces, typically to impart some texture or to drill shallow holes, it is necessary to correlate pulse properties (wavelength, power, beam radius and quality, duration) and material properties (reflectivity, melting temperature, conductivity, diffusivity) mainly with the depth of the formed crater. Crater shape is assumed to be paraboloidal and its maximum diameter is assumed to be uniquely related to its depth. An empirical and an analytical model are suggested to this end. The former entails construction of Artificial Neural Networks from experimental measurements, whilst the latter entails modification of established models from literature. Both types of models are exemplified in this paper drawing on data from available literature.