HiLASE Centre scientists have broken a new world record
27. 07. 2021
HiLASE Centre as a part of the Institute of Physics of the CAS has achieved the world record in the speed production of laser-induced periodic nanostructures on stainless steel surface. The Laser Micromachining team led by Peter Hauschwitz applied a concept of multi-beam processing of record speed of 1909 cm2/min to create nanostructures on stainless steel.
The unique combination of HiLASE PERLA ultrashort high-energy pulsed laser system with exceptional beam quality and a novel Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) from the Israeli company HOLO/OR are core technologies behind this achievement. The current world record for nanostructuring, which was held by the Hochschule Mittweida Laser Institute, University of Applied Sciences Mittweida, performs at more than 30% lower processing speed and is based on a much more complex and expensive technological solution compared to HiLASE current solution, which set the record. Moreover, HiLASE processing technique allows the creation of Laser-induced periodic surface structures, so-called LIPSS. LIPSS on stainless steel is important to create anti-bacterial surfaces, friction-reducing surfaces, or surfaces modifying the optical properties of the material. Therefore, the production speed of 1909 cm2/min, as well as the simplicity and low cost of the new technology, are bringing this nanostructuring technology a step closer to wide industrial applications.
"The high-energy pulse and high beam quality of our laser system, which produced ultra-short 1.2 ps (1.2 × 10-12 s) pulses at 200 W average power and 100 kHz repetition rate (100,000 shots per second), allowed us to split the beam into 2601 beamlets," explains Peter Hauschwitz, team leader of the Laser Micromachining team. "These beamlets are arranged in a 51x51 square matrix of 1 mm2, which enables fast beam moves across the sample at speeds of up to 9 m/s. This technological solution is simpler, more affordable, and will influence initial investment cost," he further elaborates.
"This technological solution is simpler, more affordable, and will influence initial investment cost."
Rapid nanostructuring also requires reliable and online quality control. In order to respond to this request, a unique method for online quality control of nanostructures using fast infrared radiometry has been tested under the active collaboration of scientific teams from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen and HiLASE Centre. This method can significantly contribute to the rapid expansion of laser nanostructuring into the industrial field. Jiří Martan, Head of Laser microprocessing research team at the University of West Bohemia, adds: "Analysis of the signal from the fast IR detector revealed a correlation between the thermal signal and the onset of nanostructure formation. With this knowledge, it is possible to precisely control the laser parameters in real-time and thus the quality of the produced nanostructures."
"I am very pleased to see such great achievements from the Laser Micromachining Team. These results are well in line with HiLASE long-term strategy to develop the next generations of lasers, which respond to hi-tech industrial demands. Combining our cutting-edge laser systems with new approaches, such as multi-beam processing, allowed us to accomplish this world record in rapid surface nanostructuring that shows great potential for the efficient production of LIPSS-based functional surfaces. I believe, that our new method for nanostructuring will lead to important innovations and applications in material processing, surface refinement and thus will have an impact on the industry as a whole," says Tomáš Mocek, Head of the Centre HiLASE.
CONTACT FOR MEDIA
Marie Thunová | Leader of PR & Marketing | marie.thunova@hilase.cz | M: +420 702 235 039
About HiLASE Centre
HiLASE Centre (an acronym for High average power pulsed LASErs) is a scientific research centre of the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The present research programme of the Institute comprises five branches of physics: particle physics, the physics of condensed matter, solid-state physics, optics, and plasma physics.
Be in touch with us:
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About FZU
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a scientific workplace dedicated mainly to basic research and is part of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS). The main activity of IOP is scientific research in the field of physics, especially physics of elementary particles, condensed systems, solids, optics, plasma physics, and laser physics.
About HOLO/OR
HOLO/OR Ltd. (Est. 1989 by Israel Grossinger) develops designs and manufactures diffractive optical elements (DOEs) and micro-optical elements. Their products portfolio includes beam splitters, beam shapers (top-hat), homogenizers/diffusers, multi-focal, beam samplers, vortex lenses, and more.
ABOUT Technologies Research Centre (NTC), University of West Bohemia
University research centre focused on research and solutions for green technologies and advanced materials in the fields of ecological energy sources, smart transportation means, and the quality of human life and health since 2000.
Text: Marie Thunová, HiLASE Centre, Institute of Physics of the CAS
Photo: HiLASE Centre
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