Laser Material Removal: Drilling, Cutting, and Marking

This 36-page resource, developed by the National Center for Optics and Photonics Education (OP-TEC), is one of four modules that cover photonics and manufacturing. This module "covers the ability of high-power lasers to vaporize and remove material, systems for material removal, and applications of material removal." This module includes the following sections: Introduction, Prerequisites, Objectives, Scenario, Basic Concepts, Laboratory, Exercises, and more. The included lab involves using a focused laser beam to cut plastic, scribe ceramics, and drill holes in metals. Three other photonics and manufacturing modules are available to view separately.