ULTRAHIGH-POWER LASERS AND THEIR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

In this paper, concepts for industrial high-power lasers in the range of 100 kW and their applications in engineering are discussed. Conside ring different laser types and excitation techniques, the rf-excited f ast-flow coaxial CO2 laser is identified as the most promising candida te which can fulfill the requirements for an industrial very high powe r laser source. Based on an industrial 6 kW laser of this kind, the po tential of this concept with respect to very high beam powers is demon strated, where a modular design is proposed. The suggested 100-kW CO2 laser consists of four modules, each formed by a radial blower of 1500 0 m(3)/h flow rate and two discharge sections powered with 62.5 kW rf each. Afterwards a flow mechanical simulation of the suggested laser m odule is presented, which yields flow velocity, temperature, mass dens ity, and pressure inside the discharge section at the rated power inpu t. Following, potential applications of 100-kW lasers are discussed, w here applications in decontamination and decommissioning, in deep pene tration welding of heavy sections, in surface treatment, in assisting of metal forming and in cleaning/paint stripping are identified as the most realistic applications.