Patent ID: 7643521

Claim:
A system for processing materials which comprises: a laser source for generating a beam of laser pulses having a required first pulse repetition rate (R 1 ) with a first predetermined energy level in each laser pulse to process a first material at a first target area, and for alternately generating a required second pulse repetition rate (R 2 ) with a second predetermined energy level in each laser pulse to process a second material at a second target area, wherein the first material is contiguous with and different from the second material; an optical means for directing the laser beam to the respective target areas in the material to alter the respective material therein with an interaction to induce a characteristically identifiable response from the respective material; a detector for monitoring the identifiable response in the respective material; and a switch for changing between the first required pulse repetition rate R 1 and the second required pulse repetition rate R 2 in response to changes in the identifiable response in the material.