Areas of application for UV lasers with 355nm

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UV lasers are used in various applications, both in scientific and industrial fields as well as in everyday life. Here are some common areas of application for UV lasers:

Material processing: UV lasers are often used for the precise processing of various materials, such as plastics, glass, ceramics, metals or organic materials. Applications range from cutting and engraving to surface structuring and micro material processing.
Medical applications: UV lasers are used in medicine for various purposes, including eye surgery (e.g. LASIK), dermatological treatments (e.g. tattoo removal), dentistry, DNA sequencing and research in the field of biology and medicine.
Scientific research: UV lasers are used in various scientific fields, such as spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, optical tweezers and in atomic and molecular physics.
Printing and marking technologies: UV lasers are used in the printing industry for UV direct printing and UV curing of inks. They are also used for laser marking and coding in various industries.
Semiconductor and electronics industry: UV lasers are used in the semiconductor industry for the precision processing of microchips and the manufacture of printed circuit boards.
3D printing: UV lasers are used in additive manufacturing, particularly in the stereolithography process. In this process, light-curing materials are cured layer by layer with a UV laser to create complex 3D structures.
Security and forensics: UV lasers are used in security applications, such as the forgery detection of banknotes or documents. They are also used in forensic analysis to make traces of bodily fluids or chemical substances visible.

There are many other areas of application for UV lasers, and the technology is constantly evolving.

The specific areas of application depend on the properties of the laser beam, the wavelength, the power and the desired effects.

FUNCTIONAL MODE / beam generation

HOW DOES A UV LASER WORK

A UV laser with a wavelength of 355 nm is often used for processing organic materials. This wavelength is ultraviolet light in the short-wave range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The operation of a UV laser is based on the principle of light amplification through stimulated emission of radiation. In the case of a 355 nm UV laser, a suitable laser source is used to generate light with a wavelength of 355 nm. This light is then focused into a laser beam by various optical components, such as mirrors and lenses.

Beam generation in detail:

A common method for generating a UV laser beam at 355 nm uses the so-called frequency tripling process. This involves first generating a laser with a longer wavelength, typically an Nd:YAG laser (neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser), which emits light with a wavelength of 1064 nm.

The Nd:YAG laser first generates an infrared laser beam at 1064 nm. This laser beam is then guided through a non-linear optical crystal structure, known as a non-linear crystal. In this crystal, the light is converted by the process of non-linear optical frequency doubling (second harmonic generation) into light with half the wavelength, i.e. light with a wavelength of 532 nm (green light).

The generated green laser beam at 532 nm is then passed through a non-linear crystal again, where it is again subjected to non-linear optical frequency doubling. This converts the light into light with a third of the wavelength, i.e. light with a wavelength of 355 nm (UV light).

The nonlinear crystal used for frequency tripling is usually a carefully selected crystal material with specific optical properties, such as beta-barium borate (BBO) or lithium triborate (LBO). These crystals have a high non-linear susceptibility, which is required for frequency doubling and tripling.

The UV laser beam generated at 355 nm can then be used for various applications in the processing of organic materials.

It should be noted that there are also other methods for generating UV laser beams at 355 nm, such as using excimer lasers or other non-linear conversion processes. The exact method used to generate the laser beam depends on the specific laser technology and the requirements of the application.

Laser power with UV LASERS

How much power do I need

The recommended laser power for UV lasers with 355 nm in material processing varies depending on the specific application and the materials to be processed. The optimum laser power depends on various factors, such as the type of material, the material thickness, the desired processing speed and the desired precision.

As a rule, UV lasers with 355 nm are used for precise material processing tasks where high resolution and minimal thermal damage are required. Here are some examples of applications and typical recommended laser powers:

Micro material processingWhen processing thin materials such as plastic films or thin layers, laser power in the range of a few milliwatts to a few watts may be required, depending on the desired cutting speed and accuracy.
MicrosculptingFor precise structuring or micro-patterns on surfaces of materials such as glass, ceramics or metals, laser powers in the range of a few milliwatts to several tens of watts can be used.
Marking and labelingFor marking or labeling organic materials such as plastics or rubber, laser powers ranging from a few tens of milliwatts to several watts can be used, depending on the desired marking quality and speed.
PhotopolymerizationWhen using UV lasers to cure light-curing materials, for example in 3D printing technology, laser powers in the range of several tens of milliwatts to several hundred watts may be required, depending on the type of material and the printing speed.

The exact laser power depends on many factors and on the individual requirements and preferences of the user. We will be happy to advise you.

CHANGING EFFECT on workpieces

How does a laser beam with 355nm affect different materials

The laser beam with a wavelength of 355 nm has a high energy and a short wavelength.

These properties enable the UV laser to process organic materials effectively.
The short wavelength enables precise focusing of the beam and high resolution when processing materials.

The interaction of the UV laser beam with organic materials can have various effects, depending on the specific properties of the material and the parameters of the laser beam. Some possible applications include:

AblationThe UV laser beam can vaporize or ablate organic materials to create precise structures. This is often used in micro material processing, microelectronics or medical technology.
PolymerizationThe UV laser can trigger a polymerization reaction in certain organic materials, in which liquid materials harden into solid structures. This is used in 3D printing technology, for example.
Marking and labelingThe UV laser can specifically mark or label organic materials by inducing surface structuring or color changes.
PhotolysisThe UV laser beam can in some cases trigger chemical reactions in organic substances, e.g. by breaking chemical bonds or activating specific reaction pathways.

It is important to note that the exact results and effects depend on various factors such as laser power, pulse duration, repetition rate, focus, material type and material thickness. Therefore, careful optimization of the laser parameters and a comprehensive understanding of the materials is required to achieve optimal results when processing organic materials with a UV laser.