Method for laser machining inside materials
AssigneeOxford University Innovation Limited
InventorsMartin James Booth, Patrick Salter
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Abstract
The invention provides a method for laser modification of a sample to form a modified region at a target location within the sample. The method comprises positioning a sample in a laser system for modification by a laser; measuring tilt of a surface of the sample through which the laser focusses; using at least the measured tilt to determine a correction to be applied to an active optical element of the laser system; applying the correction to the active optical element to modify wavefront properties of the laser to counteract an effect of coma on laser focus; and laser modifying the sample at the target location using the laser with the corrected wavefront properties to produce the modified region.
Claims22
A method for laser modification of a sample comprising diamond or gemstone to form a modified region at a target location within the sample, comprising:
- positioning a sample comprising diamond or gemstone in a laser system for modification by a laser;
- measuring tilt of a surface of the sample through which the laser focusses;
- using at least the measured tilt to determine a correction to be applied to an active optical element of the laser system;
- applying the correction to the active optical element to modify wavefront properties of the laser to counteract an effect of coma on laser focus;
- and
- laser modifying the sample at the target location using the laser with the corrected wavefront properties to produce the modified region.
A laser system for laser modification of a sample to form a modified region at a target depth within the sample, comprising:
- a measurement device arranged to measure tilt of a sample, wherein the sample comprises diamond or gemstone.
A method for laser modification of a gem stone to form a modified region at a target location within the gem stone, comprising:
- positioning a gem stone in a laser system for modification by a laser;
- measuring a focus of the laser within the gem stone;
- using at least the measurement of the focus to determine a correction to be applied to an active optical element of the laser system;
- applying the correction to the active optical element to modify wavefront properties of the laser to counteract an effect of aberration on laser focus;
- and
- laser modifying the gem stone at the target location using the laser with the corrected wavefront properties to produce the modified region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.