Liquid Jet Laser Tool Utilizing An Off-Axis Laser Beam

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for a liquid jet laser tool that employs an off-axis laser beam and a liquid jet stream ejected from a nozzle. The off-axis design allows the beam to be directed into the jet stream from a lateral position at an angle of incidence that causes it to propagate/travel internally within the jet stream. Any requisite optics are employed to direct the laser beam into the jet stream. The laser beam thus confined in the liquid jet stream arrives at a workpiece. The off-axis design prevents the damage to the nozzle by the laser, and thus minimizes/eliminates the need for its replacement thereby increasing efficiency and reducing operational costs. In embodiments, multiple laser beams are directed into the jet stream that simultaneously propagate within the jet stream to arrive at the workpiece. The multi-laser design accrues benefits including more uniform laser energy, higher peak power, reduced maintenance, and the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.