Aachen, Germany—A new solid-state laser from EdgeWave GmbH, employing a flat laser medium termed Slab, was introduced at the Munich Laser 2003 conference. Dubbed Innoslab, this diode-pumped, pulsed, solid-state laser featuring high beam quality, high efficiency, high output power, short pulse length and high pulse repetition rate has demonstrated it's effectiveness in sub-surface engraving of glass, micro-marking and smoothing and polishing applications.
The large surface area of the Slab provides effective cooling, which leads to high utilization of the gain volume, resulting in an efficiency of 50 percent. Shown at Munich were 10- and 20-watt versions, at 532 nm and 1064 nm, respectively, specifically suited to glass processing.
Sub-surface engraving of glass has become popular in the jewelry and advertising businesses over the past three years. Three-dimensional CAD designs are drawn in glass, dot by dot, using a diode-pumped solid-state laser, pulsing at rates up to 1 kHz. These industries have shown a need for a higher performance laser capable of processing larger areas to increase productivity and the extension of this process to engraving sheet glass, for example, that used in architectural glazing. The EdgeWave lasers are ideal for these applications because they are ranked among the most powerful diode-pumped solid-state lasers with repetition rates to 50 kHz and output power to 1 MW, with a minimum pulse duration of 4 ns and beam quality of M2< 2. The company has already demonstrated the engraving of sheet glass at 10 kHz.
Innoslab lasers have been incorporated into mobile units used to produce a non-slip surface finish on polished natural stone floors, where laser micro-structuring produces microscopic pits in a defined pattern. These pits provide the non-slip effect that can be regulated by varying the spacing and size of the indentations.
You can obtain more information on EdgeWave lasers by accessing its website www.edge-wave.com.