WO2012035953A1 - ガスレーザ装置およびレーザ加工装置 - Google Patents
ガスレーザ装置およびレーザ加工装置 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2012035953A1 WO2012035953A1 PCT/JP2011/069247 JP2011069247W WO2012035953A1 WO 2012035953 A1 WO2012035953 A1 WO 2012035953A1 JP 2011069247 W JP2011069247 W JP 2011069247W WO 2012035953 A1 WO2012035953 A1 WO 2012035953A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
- H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
- H01S3/02—Constructional details
- H01S3/03—Constructional details of gas laser discharge tubes
- H01S3/038—Electrodes, e.g. special shape, configuration or composition
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
- H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
- H01S3/02—Constructional details
- H01S3/03—Constructional details of gas laser discharge tubes
- H01S3/036—Means for obtaining or maintaining the desired gas pressure within the tube, e.g. by gettering, replenishing; Means for circulating the gas, e.g. for equalising the pressure within the tube
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
- H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range
- H01S3/14—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range characterised by the material used as the active medium
- H01S3/22—Gases
- H01S3/223—Gases the active gas being polyatomic, i.e. containing two or more atoms
- H01S3/2232—Carbon dioxide (CO2) or monoxide [CO]
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
- H01S2301/00—Functional characteristics
- H01S2301/20—Lasers with a special output beam profile or cross-section, e.g. non-Gaussian
- H01S2301/203—Lasers with a special output beam profile or cross-section, e.g. non-Gaussian with at least one hole in the intensity distribution, e.g. annular or doughnut mode
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a gas laser apparatus such as a laser oscillator and a laser amplifier, and a laser processing apparatus using the same.
- FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional gas laser device, and shows a three-axis orthogonal CO 2 laser oscillator described in Patent Document 1.
- Laser gas of about several tens of Torr is sealed inside the apparatus, and laser gas is supplied to the discharge space 51 in the direction of the arrow by a blower 52.
- the reflecting mirror 54 of the laser resonator is installed so that the laser optical axis coincides with the gas downstream end of the electrode.
- the laser gas that has passed through the discharge space 51 is cooled by the heat exchanger 53.
- FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the gain distribution and the discharge electrode position in the three-axis orthogonal CO 2 laser oscillator, and is described in detail in Non-Patent Document 1.
- the gain distribution gradually increases from the gas upstream end of the electrode, shows a peak at the gas downstream end of the electrode, and further to the gas downstream side. It turns out that it decreases gradually along.
- the optical axis of the resonator is matched with the vicinity of the gas downstream end of the electrode where the gain distribution peaks.
- Such a gain distribution can be expressed by an exponential function as shown in the following equation.
- XD is the electrode width
- ⁇ is the laser upper level relaxation rate
- ⁇ is the laser gas flow velocity
- ⁇ is the stimulated emission cross section
- ⁇ is the excitation efficiency
- w is the discharge power density
- X is the coordinate in the gas flow direction. is there.
- FIG. 14 shows an example of an asymmetric beam mode distribution
- FIG. 14A is a contour line of the beam intensity distribution
- an arrow is a laser gas flow direction
- FIG. 14B shows the intensity distribution of the central section along the horizontal direction
- FIG. 14C shows the intensity distribution of the central section along the vertical direction.
- the optical axis of the resonator is set at the peak position of the gain distribution so that the oscillation efficiency is improved.
- the gain distribution shows an intensity distribution that varies along the gas flow direction due to the presence of the gas flow.
- the gain distribution is almost uniform. That is, the gain distribution is different in the gap length direction and the gas flow direction.
- Such anisotropy of the gain distribution causes the intensity distribution of the output beam to show an asymmetric intensity distribution in the gap length direction and the gas flow direction, as shown in FIG.
- a discharge excitation laser such as a CO 2 laser
- a higher output beam is obtained as the discharge power is increased.
- arc discharge occurs and the discharge tends to become unstable.
- a conventional triaxial orthogonal laser oscillator employs a discharge electrode having a relatively large electrode width so that the discharge power density does not become too large. For this reason, the anisotropy of the gain distribution as described above is not so large, and therefore the asymmetry of the intensity distribution of the laser beam has not been a problem.
- FIG. 15 is a plan view showing another example of a conventional three-axis orthogonal CO 2 laser oscillator
- FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view crossing the discharge electrode.
- the laser gas is supplied to the discharge region 66 located between the electrodes 61A and 61B and between the electrodes 62A and 62B.
- the rear mirror 63 and the output mirror 64 of the optical resonator are arranged to face each other so as to sandwich the laser gas.
- the laser beam LB is amplified in an optical cavity 65 defined by the rear mirror 63 and the output mirror 64, and a part of the laser beam LB is output from the output mirror 64.
- the two sets of electrodes 61A and 61B and the electrodes 62A and 62B are shifted in the gas flow direction so as to be at different positions from the optical cavity 65, thereby achieving a uniform gain distribution.
- FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the gain of the laser gas excited when passing through the optical cavity 65 and the position of the resonator optical path.
- the laser gas excited by the first discharge electrode farthest from the resonator optical path shows a gain curve 67 having a peak P1 on the gas upstream side.
- the laser gas excited by the third discharge electrode closest to the resonator optical path shows a gain curve 69 having a peak P3 on the gas downstream side.
- the laser gas excited by the second discharge electrode between the first discharge electrode and the third discharge electrode shows a gain curve 68 having a peak P2 between the peak P1 and the peak P2. Therefore, by superimposing these three gain curves 67 to 69, a gain curve 70 showing a substantially uniform gain distribution in the cross section of the resonator optical path is obtained.
- FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are graphs showing an example of the gain distribution when the gas flow rate is changed in a state where the two sets of electrodes are shifted and arranged.
- Curve 71 shows the gain distribution of the laser gas excited by the first electrode on the gas upstream side.
- Curve 72 shows the gain distribution of the laser gas excited by the second electrode on the gas downstream side.
- a curve 73 shows the overall gain distribution obtained by superimposing the curve 71 and the curve 72.
- ⁇ 1 is the slope of the gain change on the upstream side from the peak of the curve 71
- ⁇ 2 is the slope of the gain change on the downstream side from the peak of the curve 71.
- FIG. 18 almost uniform gain distribution is obtained in the intermediate region in a state where two sets of electrodes are shifted and arranged as in Patent Document 2.
- FIG. 19 the gas flow velocity is larger than in FIG. 18, and the gain curves 71 and 72 extend in the gas flow direction.
- the gain distribution in the intermediate region is inclined, and a uniform gain distribution is obtained. It turns out that it cannot be obtained.
- FIG. 20 is a graph showing an example of the gain distribution when the gas flow rate is small compared to FIG.
- the gain curves 71 and 72 are contracted in the gas flow direction, and as a result, the gain distribution in the intermediate region is inclined, and it is understood that a uniform gain distribution cannot be obtained.
- FIG. 21 is a graph showing an example of the gain distribution when the electrode width is small compared to FIG. In this case, the gain curves 71 and 72 are separated from each other. As a result, it can be seen that the gain distribution in the intermediate region is inclined and a uniform gain distribution cannot be obtained.
- FIG. 22 is a graph showing an example of the gain distribution when the gas pressure of the laser gas is larger than that in FIG. In this case, the slopes of the gain curves 71 and 72 increase, and as a result, it can be seen that the gain distribution in the intermediate region is inclined and a uniform gain distribution cannot be obtained.
- FIG. 23 is a graph showing an example of the gain distribution when the distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is larger than that in FIG.
- the gain curves 71 and 72 are separated from each other and extend in the gas flow direction. As a result, it can be seen that the gain distribution in the intermediate region is inclined and a uniform gain distribution cannot be obtained.
- the condition for obtaining a uniform gain distribution in the intermediate region between the electrodes is that the gain curve 71 of the first electrode and the gain curve 72 of the second electrode are substantially symmetrical before and after each peak, as shown in FIG. Furthermore, this is limited to the case where the slope ⁇ 1 on the upstream side of the peak and the slope ⁇ 2 on the downstream side of the peak are substantially equal. For example, when the gas flow rate increases as shown in FIG. 19, the slope ⁇ 2 on the downstream side of the peak becomes smaller than the slope ⁇ 1 on the upstream side of the peak.
- other parameters such as gas flow rate, gas pressure, electrode width, and electrode arrangement are also changed at the same time. It is.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a gas laser device capable of stably realizing a uniform gain distribution even if parameters such as gas flow velocity, gas pressure, electrode width, and electrode arrangement change, and a laser processing apparatus using the same. .
- one embodiment of the present invention provides: A three-axis orthogonal gas laser device in which an optical axis of an optical resonator, a direction in which laser gas is supplied into the optical resonator, and a discharge direction for exciting the laser gas are orthogonal to each other, A first gas supply mechanism that supplies laser gas along the first gas flow direction with respect to the optical axis of the optical resonator, and a first discharge electrode that is disposed upstream from the optical axis in the first gas flow direction A first excitation unit comprising a pair; A second gas supply mechanism that supplies laser gas along a second gas flow direction opposite to the first gas flow direction with respect to the optical axis of the optical resonator, and an upstream side of the second gas flow direction from the optical axis A second excitation unit including a second discharge electrode pair installed close to The upper and lower electrodes of the first discharge electrode pair and the second discharge electrode pair have the same width in the gas flow direction, A beam mode in which the M 2 value is 1.8 to
- the gas pumping direction is opposite to the optical axis of the optical resonator, and the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit provided with the discharge electrode pair on the upstream side of the gas are provided. Even if parameters such as flow velocity, gas pressure, electrode width, and electrode arrangement change, a uniform gain distribution can be stably realized, and the symmetry of the output laser beam is improved.
- FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of a gain distribution when a gas flow rate in each excitation unit is large as compared with FIG. 4.
- FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of a gain distribution when the gas flow rate in each excitation unit is small as compared with FIG. 4.
- FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of a gain distribution when the electrode width w in each excitation unit is small compared to FIG. 4.
- FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of gain distribution when the gas pressure of the laser gas in each excitation unit is larger than in FIG.
- FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of a gain distribution when a distance d at each excitation unit is large compared to FIG.
- FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are explanatory diagrams showing the positional relationship between the gain distribution, the beam mode shape, and the aperture of the three-axis orthogonal gas laser device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
- TEM 01 * mode and other symmetric modes (e.g., TEM 00) is a graph showing the intensity distribution of the mixed mode. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the conventional gas laser apparatus.
- the relationship between gain distribution and discharge electrode position in a three-axis orthogonal CO 2 laser oscillator is shown.
- An example of asymmetric beam mode distribution is shown.
- It is a plan view showing another example of a conventional three-axis orthogonal CO 2 laser oscillator. It is sectional drawing which crosses a discharge electrode.
- It is a graph which shows the relationship between the gain of the laser gas excited when passing through an optical cavity, and the position of a resonator optical path.
- It is a graph which shows an example of gain distribution in case a gas flow velocity is large compared with FIG.
- FIG. 19 is a graph showing an example of gain distribution when the distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is larger than that in FIG. 18.
- M 2 value is a bird's-eye view showing a beam mode of about 1.8. It is sectional drawing corresponding to the beam mode of FIG. It is a bird's-eye view which shows the beam mode whose M 2 value is about 2. It is sectional drawing corresponding to the beam mode of FIG.
- M 2 value is a bird's-eye view showing a beam mode in the vicinity of 2.5. It is sectional drawing corresponding to the beam mode of FIG. M 2 value is a bird's-eye view showing a 3 degree beam mode. It is sectional drawing corresponding to the beam mode of FIG. FIG. 7 is a bird's eye view showing a beam mode with an M 2 value in the vicinity of 2.5 to 3. It is sectional drawing corresponding to the beam mode of FIG.
- FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a plan view
- FIG. 3 is a side view.
- the three-axis orthogonal gas laser apparatus includes an optical resonator including a partial reflection mirror 2, folding mirrors 3 and 4, and a total reflection mirror 5, and a plurality (two in this case) installed along the optical axis of the optical resonator. It is composed of excitation units U1 and U2 and a housing 11 that blocks laser gas from outside air.
- the optical axis direction of the optical resonator is defined as the Y direction
- the direction parallel to the direction in which the laser gas is supplied into the optical resonator is defined as the X direction
- the discharge direction for exciting the laser gas is defined as the Z direction.
- a case where a Z-type resonator having three optical axes 10a, 10b, and 10c in the YZ plane is used is exemplified, but other configurations such as a Fabry-Perot resonator, a composite resonator, and a ring-type resonance are used.
- a resonator, a V-type resonator, a W-type resonator, a U-shaped resonator, and the like can be used similarly.
- the partial reflection mirror 2 functions as an output mirror that extracts part of the laser light amplified inside the optical resonator.
- the total reflection mirror 5 functions as a rear mirror that reflects the laser light amplified inside the optical resonator with low loss.
- the folding mirrors 3 and 4 are provided to fold the optical axis of the optical resonator, thereby reducing the size of the entire apparatus.
- an aperture member 6a having a circular opening that defines the optical path of the laser light is provided in the vicinity of the partial reflection mirror 2 and the folding mirror 4.
- an aperture member 6b having a circular opening that defines the optical path of the laser light is also provided in the vicinity of the folding mirror 3 and the total reflection mirror 5.
- the excitation unit U1 includes a discharge electrode pair 1a, a heat exchanger 7a, a blower 8a, a gas duct 9a, and the like.
- a high frequency power source not shown
- the discharge electrode pair 1a forms a silent discharge along the Z direction in the discharge space 14a between the electrodes.
- the blower 8a circulates the laser gas sealed in the housing 11 along the direction 12a in the gas duct 9a. As a result, the laser gas is supplied along the ⁇ X direction toward the discharge space 14a.
- the laser gas that has passed through the discharge space 14a is cooled by the heat exchanger 7a and returns to the blower 8a again.
- the excitation unit U2 has the same components as the excitation unit U1, and includes a discharge electrode pair 1b, a heat exchanger 7b, a blower 8b, a gas duct 9b, and the like.
- a part of the illustration is omitted for easy understanding.
- the discharge electrode pair 1b forms a silent discharge along the Z direction in the discharge space 14b between the electrodes.
- the blower 8b circulates the laser gas sealed in the housing 11 along the direction 12b in the gas duct 9b. As a result, the laser gas is supplied along the + X direction toward the discharge space 14b.
- the laser gas that has passed through the discharge space 14b is cooled by the heat exchanger 7b and returns to the blower 8b again.
- the laser beam output from the partial reflection mirror 2 generally has a beam mode represented by TEM nm (n and m are 0 or a positive integer).
- the beam mode can be controlled by the gain distribution of the optical resonator, the aperture shape of the aperture members 6a and 6b, and the like.
- FIG. 2 illustrates the intensity distribution 13 of the TEM 01 * mode distributed in a donut shape around the optical axis.
- the discharge electrode pair 1a in the excitation unit U1 is shifted in the + X direction from the optical axis of the optical resonator toward the upstream side of the laser gas.
- the discharge electrode pair 1b in the excitation unit U2 is shifted in the ⁇ X direction from the optical axis of the optical resonator toward the upstream side of the laser gas.
- the distance from the YZ plane P including the optical axes 10a, 10b, and 10c to the discharge electrode pair 1a is d1
- the distance from the YZ plane P to the discharge electrode pair 1b is Is d2.
- the electrode width of the discharge electrode pair 1a is w1
- the electrode width of the discharge electrode pair 1b is w2
- the radius of the circular opening of the aperture members 6a and 6b is RA.
- FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of laser gas gain distribution when the excitation units U1, U2 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the optical axis.
- a curve 16a shows the gain distribution of the laser gas excited by the discharge electrode pair 1a of the excitation unit U1.
- a curve 16b shows the gain distribution of the laser gas excited by the discharge electrode pair 1b of the excitation unit U2.
- a curve 18 shows an overall gain distribution obtained by superimposing the curves 16a and 16b.
- the electrode width w1 of the excitation unit U1 is shifted by the distance d1 from the YZ plane P to the gas upstream side, and the gas downstream end of the electrode width w1 coincides with the peak of the curve 16a.
- the electrode width w2 of the excitation unit U2 is shifted by the distance d2 from the YZ plane P to the gas upstream side, and the gas downstream end of the electrode width w2 coincides with the peak of the curve 16b.
- FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of the gain distribution when the gas flow velocity in each of the excitation units U1 and U2 is larger than that in FIG.
- the individual gain curves 16a and 16b extend in the gas flow direction, but the curve 18 obtained by superimposing the two becomes symmetrical, and a substantially uniform gain distribution is obtained in the intermediate region including the optical axis. I understand that.
- FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of the gain distribution when the gas flow velocity in each of the excitation units U1 and U2 is smaller than that in FIG.
- the individual gain curves 16a and 16b contract in the gas flow direction, but the curve 18 obtained by superimposing the two becomes symmetric, and a substantially uniform gain distribution is obtained in the intermediate region including the optical axis. I understand that.
- FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of the gain distribution when the electrode width w in each of the excitation units U1 and U2 is smaller than that in FIG. In this case, the half-value widths of the individual gain curves 16a and 16b are reduced, but the curve 18 obtained by superimposing the two becomes symmetrical, and it can be seen that a substantially uniform gain distribution can be obtained in the intermediate region including the optical axis.
- FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of the gain distribution when the gas pressure of the laser gas in each of the excitation units U1 and U2 is larger than that in FIG.
- the slopes of the individual gain curves 16a and 16b increase, the curve 18 obtained by superimposing the two becomes symmetrical, and a substantially uniform gain distribution can be obtained in the intermediate region including the optical axis.
- the uniformity of the gain distribution is slightly lowered.
- the uniformity of the gain distribution is improved as compared with the gain distribution in the conventional asymmetric arrangement (for example, FIG. 22), and the generated laser beam The symmetry of the shape is improved.
- FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of the gain distribution when the distance d at each of the excitation units U1 and U2 is larger than that in FIG.
- the curve 18 obtained by superimposing the two becomes symmetrical, and it can be seen that a substantially uniform gain distribution can be obtained in the intermediate region including the optical axis.
- the uniformity of the gain distribution slightly decreases, but the uniformity of the gain distribution is improved as compared with the gain distribution in the conventional asymmetric arrangement (for example, FIG. 23), and the generated laser beam The symmetry of the shape is improved.
- the overall gain distribution obtained by superimposing the gain distributions of the respective excitation units becomes symmetric, so that the gas flow velocity, gas pressure, electrode width Even if parameters such as electrode arrangement vary, a uniform gain distribution can be stably realized, and the symmetry of the output laser beam can be improved.
- the circular openings of the aperture members 6a and 6b will be described.
- the distance d from the YZ plane P including the optical axis of the optical resonator to the discharge electrode pair 1a, 1b and the radius RA of the circular opening of the aperture members 6a, 6b preferably satisfy the relationship RA ⁇ d.
- the aperture radius RA is generally set to about 5 mm to 15 mm. Therefore, the distance d is preferably set to 5 mm ⁇ d ⁇ 15 mm while maintaining the relationship of RA ⁇ d. Since the commercially available partial reflection mirror 2 for CO 2 laser is generally up to ⁇ 2 inch in maximum diameter, the laser beam diameter is generally set to 2 inches or less.
- FIG. FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are explanatory diagrams showing the positional relationship between the gain distribution, the beam mode shape, and the aperture of the three-axis orthogonal gas laser device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
- the three-axis orthogonal gas laser apparatus has the same configuration as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the laser gas supply directions are opposite to the optical axis of the optical resonator, and the discharge electrode is upstream of the gas.
- Two excitation units U1, U2 having a pair are arranged symmetrically with respect to the optical axis.
- the intensity distribution 20 of the laser beam output from the laser device is distributed in a donut shape around the optical axis such as the TEM 01 * mode as shown in FIG. 10B, for example. It is preferable that it is a mode to do.
- the TEM 01 * mode is generally represented by the following formula.
- w is the fundamental mode beam radius
- r is the radial distance
- I 0 is a constant.
- the M 2 value indicating the beam quality is 2.
- FIG. 10A illustrates a case where the uniformity of the overall gain distribution obtained by the two sets of excitation units U1 and U2 is slightly reduced due to parameter fluctuations such as gas pressure and gas flow velocity.
- the distances d1 and d2 are set so that the gas downstream ends of the discharge electrode pairs 1a and 1b coincide with the peak positions of the gain distribution curves 16a and 16b.
- a portion where the intensity distribution of the beam mode is strong coincides with a portion where the laser gas exhibits a large gain.
- the intensity peak is distributed not in the center of the laser beam but in a donut shape around the optical axis.
- the distances d1 and d2 are set so that the peak position of the overall gain distribution obtained by the two sets of excitation units U1 and U2 matches the peak position of the TEM 01 * mode.
- the laser beam having the TEM 01 * mode oscillates efficiently.
- the M 2 value indicating the beam quality of the laser is small, and the gas downstream end of the discharge electrode coincides with the optical axis so that the gain distribution is the highest. It has been usual to set the position to be raised at the center of the beam.
- the cutting kerf width must be wide to some extent in order to allow the assist gas to sufficiently reach the back surface of the material. .
- the condensing property of the laser beam is preferably low to some extent, and it is preferable to use a laser beam having a M 2 value of about 1.8 to 3 indicating the beam quality.
- FIGS. 24 and 25 show an M 2 value of about 1.8
- FIGS. 26 and 27 show an M 2 value of 2
- FIGS. 28 and 29 show an M 2 value of around 2.5
- 32 and 33 are a bird's-eye view and a cross-sectional view of a beam having an intensity distribution showing a donut-shaped peak having an M 2 value in the vicinity of 2.5 to 3.
- the distances d1 and d2 are set so that the peak positions of the gain distribution curves 16a and 16b formed by the two pairs of discharge electrodes 1a and 1b coincide with the peak positions of the beam mode. Further, it becomes easy to oscillate a beam mode shaped laser suitable for sheet metal processing, and asymmetric mode beam oscillation as shown in FIG. 14 can be suppressed, and as a result, the cutting performance of the sheet metal can be improved.
- the aperture radius RA in the three-axis orthogonal laser oscillator is set so that the beam loss is small and the beam mode shape can be defined. For this reason, it is preferable to set the aperture radius RA to about twice the fundamental mode diameter of the beam, that is, RA ⁇ 2w.
- the aperture radius RA is generally set to about 5 mm to 15 mm. Therefore, the distance d preferably satisfies the relationship 1.8 mm ⁇ d ⁇ 5.3 mm.
- FIG. 11 is a graph showing an intensity distribution of a mode in which a TEM 01 * mode and another symmetric mode (for example, TEM 00 ) are mixed, and the M 2 value is 1.8.
- a laser processing apparatus includes the gas laser apparatus disclosed in the first or second embodiment, a condensing optical system for condensing laser light output from the gas laser apparatus toward a workpiece, A processing table for moving the workpiece in a desired direction or stopping at a desired position, or a movable condensing optical system for condensing the laser beam at a desired position of the workpiece is provided. .
- high-quality laser processing is achieved by performing cutting, marking, drilling, welding, welding, or surface modification using a laser beam having excellent symmetry, for example, TEM 01 * mode. It can be carried out.
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Abstract
Description
光共振器の光軸と、レーザガスを光共振器内に供給する方向と、レーザガスを励起する放電の方向とが互いに直交した3軸直交型のガスレーザ装置であって、
光共振器の光軸に対して第1ガス流方向に沿ってレーザガスを供給する第1ガス供給機構、および該光軸から第1ガス流方向の上流側に寄せて設置された第1放電電極対を含む第1励起ユニットと、
光共振器の光軸に対して、第1ガス流方向とは反対の第2ガス流方向に沿ってレーザガスを供給する第2ガス供給機構、および該光軸から第2ガス流方向の上流側に寄せて設置された第2放電電極対を含む第2励起ユニットと、を備え、
第1放電電極対および第2放電電極対のそれぞれの電極対の上下の対の電極がガス流方向において同じ幅を有し、
M2値が1.8~3あるいは強度分布のピークがドーナツ状であるビームモードを発生させる。
図1は、本発明の実施の形態1を示す正面図であり、図2は平面図、図3は側面図である。3軸直交型ガスレーザ装置は、部分反射ミラー2、折り返しミラー3,4、全反射ミラー5を含む光共振器と、光共振器の光軸に沿って設置された複数(ここでは2個)の励起ユニットU1,U2と、レーザガスを外気と遮断する筐体11などで構成される。ここで理解容易のため、光共振器の光軸方向をY方向、レーザガスを光共振器内に供給する方向と平行な方向をX方向、レーザガスを励起する放電の方向をZ方向とする。
図10Aと図10Bは、本発明の実施の形態2に係る3軸直交型ガスレーザ装置の利得分布、ビームモード形状およびアパーチャの位置関係を示す説明図である。3軸直交型ガスレーザ装置は、図1~図3に示したものと同様な構成を有し、光共振器の光軸に対してレーザガス供給方向が互いに反対であって、ガス上流側に放電電極対を有する2つの励起ユニットU1,U2を光軸に関して左右対称に配置している。
本実施形態に係るレーザ加工装置は、実施の形態1または2に開示されたガスレーザ装置と、ガスレーザ装置から出力されるレーザ光を被加工物に向けて集光するための集光光学系と、被加工物を所望の方向に移動したり、所望の位置で停止させるための加工テーブルあるいは被加工物の所望の位置にレーザ光を集光させるための移動可能な該集光光学系などを備える。上述したように、対称性に優れたビームモード、例えば、TEM01 *モードのレーザ光を用いて、切断、マーキング、穴あけ、溶接、溶着または表面改質を行うことによって、高品質でレーザ加工を行うことができる。
Claims (10)
- 光共振器の光軸と、レーザガスを光共振器内に供給する方向と、レーザガスを励起する放電の方向とが互いに直交した3軸直交型のガスレーザ装置であって、
光共振器の光軸に対して第1ガス流方向に沿ってレーザガスを供給する第1ガス供給機構、および該光軸から第1ガス流方向の上流側に寄せて設置された第1放電電極対を含む第1励起ユニットと、
光共振器の光軸に対して、第1ガス流方向とは反対の第2ガス流方向に沿ってレーザガスを供給する第2ガス供給機構、および該光軸から第2ガス流方向の上流側に寄せて設置された第2放電電極対を含む第2励起ユニットと、を備え、
第1放電電極対および第2放電電極対のそれぞれの電極対の上下の対の電極がガス流方向において同じ幅を有し、
M2値が1.8~3あるいは強度分布のピークがドーナツ状であるビームモードを発生させることを特徴とするガスレーザ装置。 - ドーナツ状のビームモードは、TEM01 *モードであることを特徴とする請求項1記載のガスレーザ装置。
- 放電方向に沿って観察して、光共振器の光軸と第1放電電極対との間の距離が、光共振器の光軸と第2放電電極対との間の距離と等しく、第1放電電極対の電極幅と第2放電電極対の電極幅が互いに等しいことを特徴とする請求項1または2記載のガスレーザ装置。
- 光共振器の光軸と第1放電電極対のガス流に対して下流端との間の距離、および該光軸と第2放電電極対のガス流に対して下流端との間の距離が、ドーナツ状のビームモードの中心からピークの位置の距離と一致していることを特徴とする請求項1~3のいずれかに記載のガスレーザ装置。
- 光共振器は、複数のミラーと、レーザ光の光路を規定する円形開口を有するアパーチャ部材とを含み、
光共振器の光軸と放電電極対のガス流に対して下流端との間の距離をdとし、アパーチャ部材の円形開口の半径をRAとして、RA≦dの関係を満たすことを特徴とする請求項1~3のいずれかに記載のガスレーザ装置。 - 光共振器の光軸と放電電極対との間の距離をdとし、3軸直交型CO2レーザ装置において、5mm≦d≦15mmの関係を満たすことを特徴とする請求項1~3のいずれかに記載のガスレーザ装置。
- 光共振器の光軸と放電電極対との間の距離をdとし、アパーチャ部材の円形開口の半径をRAとして、RA=d×2√2の関係を満たすことを特徴とする請求項1~3のいずれかに記載のガスレーザ装置。
- 光共振器の光軸と放電電極対との間の距離をdとし、アパーチャ部材の円形開口の半径をRA、ビームモード品質を示すM2値をM2として、M2が1.8から3であり、RA=d×2(M2)1/2の関係を満たすことを特徴とする請求項1~3のいずれかに記載のガスレーザ装置。
- 3軸直交型CO2レーザ装置において、1.8mm≦d≦5.3mmの関係を満たすことを特徴とする請求項7記載のガスレーザ装置。
- 請求項1~9のいずれかに記載のガスレーザ装置から出力されるレーザ光を用いて、切断、マーキング、穴あけ、溶接、溶着または表面改質を行うことを特徴とするレーザ加工装置。
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JP2012533933A JP5653444B2 (ja) | 2010-09-17 | 2011-08-26 | ガスレーザ装置 |
DE112011103110.6T DE112011103110B4 (de) | 2010-09-17 | 2011-08-26 | Gaslaservorrichtung |
TW100132960A TWI497851B (zh) | 2010-09-17 | 2011-09-14 | 氣體雷射裝置及雷射加工裝置 |
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WO2015008405A1 (ja) * | 2013-07-18 | 2015-01-22 | 三菱電機株式会社 | ガスレーザ装置 |
JP2015050243A (ja) * | 2013-08-30 | 2015-03-16 | 三菱電機株式会社 | レーザ装置 |
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EP3700028B1 (en) | 2019-02-22 | 2021-01-13 | Kern Technologies, LLC | Radio frequency slab laser |
JP7177015B2 (ja) | 2019-07-19 | 2022-11-22 | ヤーマン株式会社 | 目元用美容マスク |
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