Investigating the interaction between laser parameters for ultra-fast laser processing of glass

Modern manufacturing, and particularly the areas of high value micro-manufacturing at which the UK competes globally, is increasingly dependent on innovative production processes; with laser based processes a leading area of interest and academic research.

In some areas of industry, e.g. automotive engineering, lasers have almost entirely replaced certain traditional macro-scale manufacturing processes. However the same capability exists on the micro-scale where lasers, and particularly ultra-fast lasers (ps or fs scale pulses) offer the capability to carry out manufacturing which is otherwise impossible.

These Ultra-fast lasers exploit the quantum nature of light to provide two key benefits:
By depositing energy onto a material surface in such a small timescale that normal thermal process simply do not have time to manifest and hence material may be processed “cold” with the complete absence of thermal damage around the work area.
Secondly the use of extreme intensities at the laser focus can stimulate non-linear optical effects. The most valuable of these is to allow the light to be absorbed by materials which are otherwise transparent to the laser. Since this only occurs at the focus of the laser beam this allows materials to be processed from the inside out.

However, while significant work has been done in recent years in developing new ultra-short laser processes, industrial uptake has been limited (with the notable exception of the cutting of chemically strengthened glass for smart phones). This is, in no small part, due to a lack of standardisation and calibration of ultra-fast laser processes in comparison to more established methods. This gives ultra-short laser processes something of a reputation for un-reliability.

The project will focus on developing an empirical (phenomenological) model of the interaction between laser parameters for ultra-fast laser processing of glass through experimental measurement. This will be achieved through a combination of sound experimental design, to discover the importance and interaction of parameters, and through direct measurement of key parameters, e.g. heat and absorption. The aim is to gain sufficient understanding to be able to dynamically re-calibrate while the laser is in operation thus allowing for a stable, reliable industrial process.

The candidate will have the opportunity to investigate a range of ultra-short laser processes beginning with the relatively well established area of glass processing. It is expected that this project will be carried out in close collaboration with interested industrial partners including: laser manufacturers (Coherent), laser systems integrators (Oxford Lasers, M-Solv), and industrial manufacturers (Leonardo, Gooch and Housego).

Information for applicants:
The ideal candidate will have an experimental physics or engineering background, including familiarity with data analysis. They will have experience of standard computer packages (e.g. Office) and be highly motivated and enthusiastic with an interest in lasers and or manufacturing. They will also be an effective communicator and take a responsible approach to health and safety.

Experience of working in a research or laboratory environment and in the fields of lasers, opto-electronics or photonics would be a significant advantage.