Comparison of cladding characteristics on CO₂ laser, Nd: YAG laser and excimer laser

By comparing output performance, absorptivity, light intensity spatial distribution, cladding characteristics and machining performance of CO₂, YAG and excimer lasers, the results show that cross-sectional charts of CO₂ and YAG lasers' spatial distribution( SD ) are Gauss shape, but the SD of excimer laser's is rectangle. The absorptivity and machining precision of the three lasers are in proper order:exelmer laser > Nd:YAG laser > CO₂ laser. The average output power and light spot diameter of the three lasers in proper order: excimer laser < Nd: YAG laser < CO, laser. The CO, laser is suitable for high power and large size, and the accuracy demands comparatively low in machining and cladding fields; Nd: YAG laser is fit for small and medium power, the small and medium dimension, and the accuracy demands higher in machining and cladding fields;Excimer laser is applicable to small power and small size,and the accuracy demands very high in micro-nano machining, micro-electries and biomedicine fields. No matter how the irradiated materials are in solid phase or liquid phase, Nd: YAG laser's absorptivity is about three times than higher CO₂laser's, so Nd: YAG laser is fitter than CO₂ laser for laser cladding and laser directly metal forming manufacturing.