Patent ID: 6734387
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: B23K,G01N,H01S

Abstract:
A micro-machining apparatus, comprising:a mode-locked, quasi-cw, infrared laser system including a high reflector and an output coupler defining an oscillator cavity that produces an output beam, a gain medium and a mode locking device positioned in the oscillator cavity and a diode pump source producing a pump beam incident on the gain medium, the infrared laser system being quasi-cw to provide a delivery of pulses that is of a sufficiently high repetition rate to create a continuous cut or scribe; a second harmonic generator coupled to the oscillator cavity; a third harmonic generator coupled to the second harmonic generator that produces a UV output beam; an output beam directing apparatus that directs the output beam to a polymeric surface of an article to create the continuous cut or scribe, wherein at least a portion of the polymeric material is micro-machined by the output beam.