Patent ID: 8497449
Filing Date: 2013-07-30
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A method of micro-machining, comprising the steps of: applying a liquid light energy coupling substance to a substrate comprising a generally thin panel of alumina having an outer surface with a plurality of microscopic pores extending through the outer surface, wherein: (1) the light energy coupling substance absorbs a laser light beam at a selected wavelength, and (2) the liquid light energy coupling substance has a viscosity sufficiently low and a particle size sufficiently small so that the liquid light energy coupling substance penetrates the plurality of microscopic pores in the substrate to a depth beneath the outer surface of the substrate; directing a laser light beam at the selected wavelength against the substrate to raise the temperature of at least a portion of the substrate to at least the vaporization temperature of the alumina in that portion of the substrate; and manipulating one of the laser light beam and the substrate at selected locations where the liquid light energy coupling substance has penetrated the substrate to micro-machine features into the substrate at the selected locations.