In this work, we present a dynamic extension through the combination of an acousto-optical deflector (AOD) with a galvanometer scanner. This combines the best of two worlds: the dynamic beam deflection of the AOD and the large scanning field of the galvanometer scanner. The integrated AOD is able to deflect the laser beam pulse by pulse within its scanning field and to modulate the beam intensity simultaneously. The mechanical limitations and problems of the galvanometer scanner, such as vibrations and overshoots due to fast mirror rotations, can be specifically compensated by the high precision of the AOD. As a result, in addition to process time reduction, the surface and image quality improves significantly. In any case, the laser source needs synchronization with the AOD because the propagation of sound waves within the AOD crystal is slower than the laser pulse propagation through the medium. In the first step, a comparatively slow AOD based on tellurium dioxide with a transversal crystal alignment is used. The process time of a thin film ablation with 4 μJ at 1 MHz was reduced considerably by applying a USP laser system (Coherent Monaco). |
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Scanners
Laser sources
3D scanning
Laser ablation
Laser scanners
Pulsed laser operation
Crystals