Ultrafast Fiber Laser Platform for Advanced Materials Processing

Ultrafast lasers based on fiber optic architecture and integrated software controls will play a dominant role in the spread of these lasers into commercial and industrial applications. The principle challenges are to generate adequate pulse energy from singlemode fiber amplifiers which have small cross-sectional area, and to perform all tuning and control processes with internal electronics and robust software. We demonstrate an all-fiber erbium amplifier system that produces > 100 mu J per pulse with femtosecond class pulsewidth, excellent beam quality, and an autonomous control system. We present details regarding our laser platform performance and discuss the salient reliability and lifetime topics that are necessary for ultrafast lasers to spread into realistic industrial environments. As examples, we show machining of Nitinol, Teflon, and a biodegradable polymer stent material with no observable heat affected zone. Basic process parameters are described.