TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTIONS AND THEIR EVOLUTION IN NONPLANAR ENERGY BEAM MICROPROCESSING - A FAST ALGORITHM

We present a fast algorithm for calculations of the temperature distri butions induced by the energy beam in the three-dimensional deposits o f arbitrary shape. It combines analytical approximations, numerical fa st Fourier transform, and the multigrid technique. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated with problems that can be solved analytically. The behavior of the center temperature in laser-deposited spots and s tripes of different shapes and sizes is studied. The results can expla in explosive growth in laser-induced deposition and instabilities in l aser direct writing, and provide a tool for a quantitative analysis of energy beam microprocessing. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.