Creating radial slots in a subterranean formation

A method, comprising:

• conveying a laser cutting apparatus within a casing lining at least a portion of a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation;
• transmitting a laser beam to a deflector of the laser cutting apparatus;
• and
• operating a motor of the laser cutting apparatus to control rotation of a body connected to the deflector and at least one sensor of the laser cutting apparatus, thus directing the laser beam deflected by the deflector to form a radial slot extending through the casing to a predetermined depth within the subterranean formation, including operating the motor to sequentially rotate the deflector to each one of a plurality of angular positions and to maintain the deflector at each successive one of the plurality of angular positions until the laser beam penetrates the subterranean formation to the predetermined depth at the respective angular position based on a penetration depth measured by the at least one sensor, such that the radial slot extends through a predetermined angle encompassing the plurality of angular positions.

A method, comprising:

• conveying a laser cutting apparatus within a casing lining at least a portion of a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation;
• transmitting a laser beam to a deflector of the laser cutting apparatus;
• and
• operating a motor of the laser cutting apparatus to repeatedly rotate a body connected to the deflector and at least one sensor of the laser cutting apparatus through a plurality of cycles, wherein each of the plurality of cycles comprises a first substantially continuous rotation of the deflector through a predetermined angle in a first rotational direction and a second substantially continuous rotation of the deflector through the predetermined angle in a second rotational direction, thus directing the laser beam deflected by the deflector to form a radial slot extending radially through the casing and, with each successive one of the plurality of cycles, extend the radial slot to a predetermined depth within the subterranean formation based on a penetration depth measured by the at least one sensor, such that opposing first and second sides of the radial slot are angularly disposed at the predetermined angle.