Patent ID: 6056827
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B08B,B23K,G21F

Abstract:
A method for decontaminating a contaminated member, said method comprising:moving in an advancing direction relative to and along a surface of said contaminated member a gas supply nozzle having an axis and an outlet opening defined along a plane, while supplying a gas from said nozzle toward said contaminated member, and while applying to said contaminated member a laser beam condensed by a condenser lens incorporated in said nozzle, thereby continuously melting or evaporating and removing a contaminated surface layer of said member, whereby said contaminated member is cleaned;said axis of said nozzle coinciding with an axis of said laser beam;said plane defining said outlet opening being inclined with respect to said axis of said laser beam in a direction away from said surface of said contaminated member relative to said advancing direction; andsaid gas being supplied toward said contaminated member in a direction diagonal to said axis of said laser beam.