Long stand off distance high power laser tools and methods of use

摘要

There are provided high power laser cutting tools, optics assembly and laser beam configurations having long stand off distances, which provide high power laser beams, greater than 1 kW, to cut and volumetrically remove targeted materials. There is also provided methods of using these tools using a beam delivery angle that provides for molten material to be removed by flowing out of the targeted material.

主权项

1. A method of removing material using high power laser energy, the method comprising:
a. directing a high power laser beam having a power of at least 1 kW and a beam angle of greater than 2° toward a surface of a material in a predetermined three-dimensional pattern, corresponding to a predetermined volumetric shape; b. the laser beam creating a hole in the material having a bottom comprising molten material, wherein the laser affected areas substantially filling the predetermined volumetric shape; and, c. advancing the hole by flowing the molten material back towards the laser beam, thereby exposing solid material for the laser beam to melt; and, d. wherein the high power laser beam is operable to have a stand off distance of at least 3 feet.