Patent ID: 6163010
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
A laser based system for precision processing and machining of materials, comprising(a) a pulsed solid state laser, comprising,(i) a laser cavity defined by two end mirrors,(ii) a laser medium;(iii) a cylindrical laser rod directly side-pumped by a plurality of arrays of laser diode, and(iv) at least one optical element for improving the beam quality,(b) a laser beam delivery system for expanding, collimating, and focusing the laser beam;(c) a workstation for holding and moving a workpiece with respect to the laser beam;(d) a cutting nozzle for directing a jet of a pressurized fluid to the surface of said workpiece:wherein the laser beam has an average power from about 2 to about 100 watts and the focused laser beam has an average brightness of more than 10.sup.12 W/m.sup.2 *sr and a peak brightness of more than 10.sup.13 W/m.sup.2 *sr.