Method and system for determining the alignment of a surface of a material in relation to a laser beam

A laser system for determining the position and alignment of a surface of an object relative to a laser beam generated from the laser system, the system comprising:

• a laser system for generating a laser beam, the laser system having a central processing unit, the central processing unit configured for instructing movement of the laser beam;
• a plasma spark detection device for detecting a plasma spark, the plasma spark detection device interconnected with the laser system;
• and
• a software program for execution on the central processing unit, the software program configured for:
• repeatedly moving a focal point of the laser beam along a predetermined pattern in a plane perpendicular to a z-axis of the laser beam;
• detecting a plurality of plasma sparks when the laser beam focal point contacts the surface of the object;
• and
• determining the position and alignment of the surface in relation to the laser beam.

A method for determining the alignment of a surface of an object in relation to a laser beam, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an object having a substantially planar surface;
• providing a laser system for generating a laser beam;
• identifying at least three points at the surface of the object by detecting the occurrence of plasma spark;
• and
• determining the tilt of the planar surface in relation to a z-axis of the laser beam.

A laser system for determining the position and alignment of a surface of an object relative to a laser beam generated from the laser system, the system comprising:

• a laser system for generating a laser beam, the laser system having a central processing unit, the central processing unit configured for instructing movement of the laser beam;
• a plasma spark detection device for detecting a plasma spark, the plasma spark detection device interconnected with the laser system;
• and
• a software program for execution on the central processing unit, the software program configured for:
• identifying at least three points at the surface of the object by detecting the occurrence of plasma spark;
• and
• determining the tilt of the planar surface in relation to a z-axis of the laser beam utilizing the at least three points.

A method for determining the focus of a laser beam about a surface of an object, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an object having a substantially planar surface;
• providing a laser system for generating a laser beam;
• focusing a laser beam at or near the substantially planar surface, wherein the laser beam is reflected back from the planar surface;
• detecting a fringe pattern of the laser beam;
• and
• determining whether the laser beam is in focus.

A laser system for determining the focus of a laser beam about a surface of an object, the system comprising:

• a laser system for generating a laser beam, the laser system having a central processing unit, the central processing unit configured for instructing movement of the laser beam;
• an interferometer for detecting a fringe pattern, the interferometer interconnected with the laser system;
• and
• a software program for execution on the central processing unit, the software program configured for:
• focusing a laser beam at or near the substantially planar surface, wherein the laser beam is reflected back from the planar surface;
• detecting a fringe pattern of the laser beam;
• and
• determining whether the laser beam is in focus.

A method for determining the focus of a laser beam about a surface of an object, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an object having a substantially planar surface;
• providing a laser system for generating a laser beam;
• monitoring a nonlinear frequency signal generated by the laser beam;
• and
• determining whether the laser beam is in focus.

A laser system for determining the focus of a laser beam about a surface of an object, the system comprising:

• a laser system for generating a laser beam, the laser system having a central processing unit, the central processing unit configured for instructing movement of the laser beam;
• a photomultiplier with a band pass filter for detecting a nonlinear frequency signal generated by the laser beam;
• and
• a software program for execution on the central processing unit, the software program configured for:
• monitoring a nonlinear frequency signal generated by the laser beam;
• and
• determining whether the laser beam is in focus.

A method for determining a plasma spark about a surface of an object, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an object having a surface;
• providing a laser system for generating a laser beam;
• moving a focal point of the laser beam along a z-axis of the laser beam;
• and
• detecting with a photodetector at least one plasma spark when the laser beam focal point contacts the object.

A laser system for determining a plasma spark about a surface of an object, the system comprising:

• a laser system for generating a laser beam, the laser system having a central processing unit, the central processing unit configured for instructing movement of the laser beam;
• a plasma spark detection device for detecting a plasma spark, the plasma spark detection device interconnected with the laser system;
• and
• a software program for execution on the central processing unit, the software program configured for detecting with said photodetector at least one plasma spark when the laser beam focal point contacts the object.

A method for determining the distance between two surfaces utilizing a laser beam, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first object having an outer surface;
• providing a second object having an outer surface;
• providing a laser system for generating a laser beam;
• identifying a first point at the outer surface of the first object by detecting the occurrence of a first plasma spark;
• identifying a second point at the outer surface of the second object by detecting the occurrence of a second plasma spark;
• and
• determining the distance between the first point and the second point.

A laser system for determining the position and alignment of a surface of an object relative to a laser beam generated from the laser system, the system comprising:

• a laser system for generating a laser beam, the laser system having a central processing unit, the central processing unit configured for instructing movement of the laser beam;
• a plasma spark detection device for detecting a plasma spark, the plasma spark detection device interconnected with the laser system;
• and
• a software program for execution on the central processing unit, the software program configured for:
• identifying a first point at the outer surface of a first object by detecting the occurrence of a first plasma spark;
• identifying a second point at the outer surface of the second object by detecting the occurrence of a second plasma spark;
• and
• determining the distance between the first point and the second point.