Short-pulse lasers with the high power and repetition rate for microfabrication

Abstract

Employment of short-pulse lasers in microfabrication opens up a lot of opportunities in tailoring and shaping variety of materials. The main drawback in a wide use of the laser technology on micro-and nanoscale today is the low fabrication speed. An increase in the pulse repetition rate is a way to reach the desired efficiency. New high-power and high repetition-rate lasers based on the diode-pumped Nd:YVO 4 crystals with the pulse duration in picosecond and nanosecond time range were developed and applied in processing of different engineering materials. Pulsing up to 100 kHz allowed flexible machining of bulky and thin-film materials. Results of microfabrication and their relation with laser parameters are presented.