@inproceedings{cb589c540858401fb63162bc2984fd04,
title = "Delivery of high energy light through pbg fiber for laser machining",
abstract = "Conventional silica fiber optics cannot currently deliver the high beam quality, high peak power pulses required for micro-machining applications due to damage limitations. Recently developed photonic bandgap (PBG) fibers have the potential to overcome this limitation as the power is mostly contained within an air-core, with guidance arising from the periodic nature of the cladding. We report the delivery of high energy nanosecond pulses from a high repetition rate (up to 100 kHz) Q-switched Nd:YAG laser through the fundamental mode of a PBG fiber at 1064 nm. The damage limitations of the PBG silica structure are investigated, together with its application to precision micro-machining. We present an optimized fiber design to reduce the light-in-glass fraction and hence maximize the power handling capability. Short pulses (around 60 ns pulse width) and energies of the order of 0.5 mJ were delivered in a single spatial mode through the hollow-core fiber providing the pulse energy and high beam quality required for micro-machining of metals. Practical micro-machining of metal sheet is also presented.",
author = "Shephard, \{Jonathan D.\} and Mangan, \{B. J.\} and Jones, \{Julian D C\} and Geraud Bouwmans and Russell, \{Phillip St J\} and Knight, \{Jonathan C.\} and Hand, \{Duncan P.\}",
year = "2004",
month = dec,
day = "1",
doi = "10.2351/1.5060399",
language = "English",
isbn = "0912035773",
series = "ICALEO 2004 - 23rd International Congress on Applications of Laser and Electro-Optics, Congress Proceedings",
booktitle = "ICALEO 2004 - 23rd International Congress on Applications of Laser and Electro-Optics, Congress Proceedings",
note = "ICALEO 2004 - 23rd International Congress on Applications of Laser and Electro-Optics ; Conference date: 04-10-2004 Through 07-10-2004",
}