System and method for surface/layer structuring using an optically addressed light valve combined with optically addressed electric field modulation

A method of modifying a surface of a material, in situ, while the material is being used to at least one of form or modify a portion of a part or coating, the method comprising:

• using a first optical beam generator to generate a first beam at a first wavelength;
• using a second optical beam generator to generate a second beam at a second wavelength;
• using a third optical beam generator to generate a third beam for acting on a surface of a material to heat a portion of the surface of the material into a flowable state to at least one of ablate a portion of the material, or to modify a surface characteristic of the material, or to heat a portion of the material to achieve stress relaxation;
• using the first beam to control an optically addressable light valve (OALV), the OALV being controlled to modify an energy of the third beam;
• using the second beam to control an optically addressable electric field modulator (OAEFM), the OAEFM being controlled to generate an electric field in a vicinity of the surface of the material and to influence a movement of the portion of material while the portion of material is in the flowable state;
• and
• using a processor to control the first and second beam generators.

A system for modifying a surface of a material, in situ, while the material is being used to at least one of form or modify a portion of a part or coating, the system comprising:

• a first beam generator which generates a first optical beam;
• a second beam generator which generates a second optical beam;
• a third beam generator which generates a third optical beam for acting on a surface of a material to heat a portion of the surface of the material into a flowable state to modify a surface characteristic of the material;
• an optically addressable light valve (OALV) controlled by the first optical beam to modify an energy of the third optical beam;
• and
• an optically addressable electric field modulator (OAEFM) controlled by the second optical beam to generate an electric field in a vicinity of the surface and to influence a movement of the portion of material while the portion of material is in the flowable state.