A novel approach to manufacturing lasers using ultrafast laser welding

这是一项物理学博士研究项目。超快(皮秒、飞秒)脉冲激光使焊接过程能够直接连接高度不同的材料组合(例如玻璃和金属)。由于热膨胀系数的巨大差异，因此这种焊接以前被认为是不可能的，因此是热诱导的裂纹。从最初的概念验证实验开始，Heriot-Watt一直在与Leonardo MW合作，将该工艺转化为强大的制造工艺，特别是将硼硅酸盐玻璃焊接到铝合金Al6082上。这个由行业赞助的博士项目将建立在这一早期研究的基础上，专注于将这种工艺应用于激光系统的制造。这项技术的使用具有重要的优势，特别是消除了激光腔内对粘合剂的要求。建议的焊接方法还将有助于将激光制造从熟练的组装过程转变为成本低得多的自动化制造过程。

This is a PhD research project in Physics. Ultrafast (picosecond, femtosecond) pulsed lasers have enabled welding processes to directly join highly dissimilar materials combinations (e.g. glass and metal). Such welding was previously thought to be impossible due to the very large difference in thermal expansion coefficients and hence thermally-induced cracking. From initial proof-of-concept experiments, Heriot-Watt have been working with Leonardo MW to convert the process into a robust manufacturing process, with a particular focus on welding borosilicate glass to Aluminium alloy Al6082. This industry-sponsored PhD project will build on this earlier research, focused on the application of such processes to the manufacture of a laser system. The use of this technology has important advantages, in particular removing the requirement for adhesives within the laser cavity. The proposed welding approach will also help to convert laser manufacturing from a skilled assembly process to a much lower cost automated manufacturing process.