Study of ruby laser beam interaction with glass

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the ruby laser light interaction with glass surface. The investigation was conducted in order to determine the maximum density of laser light energy (λ = 694.3 nm, t = 30ns) that can be safely applied in different laser systems used in nondestructive testing methods (NDT). The process of irradiation took place in atmospheric conditions. The results show that interaction of laser beams with glass materials is a complex phenomenon. It depends on many factors and it is associated with localized formation of plasma, heating of the material that leads to melting and transient stresses causing mechanical damages. The zones of laser light interactions were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy-dispersal unit for the analysis of X-ray (EDX). The results obtained by SEM and EDX analysis show that the maximum allowable energy density is 5 J/cm2 for ruby laser light.

Keywords

• ruby laser interaction
• glass
• sem
• edx