Seeing Things in a New Light: High power blue lasers for metal processing. Issue 4 (24th October 2018) - Pelaprat, Jean‐Michel
Abstract: Nuburu has introduced a new high‐power blue laser that brings unmatched performance to many materials processing applications. Lasers are capable of delivering high energy density with pinpoint precision. The energy can be delivered without physical contact between the components of the laser and any material to be worked. These characteristics suit lasers for many materials processing applications – perhaps none more well‐suited than laser welding. Common industrial lasers are high‐power infrared (IR) systems operating at wavelengths around 10.6 μm or around 1 μm, or low‐ to moderate‐power green light systems operating at a wavelength around 532 nm. The capabilities of these systems are constrained by either the physics of the interaction (in the case of infrared lasers) or the cost and technological capability of the laser (in the case of green lasers). Nuburu's AO‐150 laser puts out a 150‐watt high‐quality beam of 450 nm laser light that brings game‐changing capabilities to laser welding and other industrial applications.