Femtosecond laser deep hole drilling of silicate glasses in air

Femtosecond laser pulses are ideal for many precise and delicate laser proc essing applications. In this work, we demonstrate that femtosecond laser pu lses can be used to produce microscopic holes (< 100)mum diameter) with mac roscopic depth (>1 mm) in silicate glasses at atmospheric pressures. These experiments indicate that self-focusing is an important factor affecting ho le depth at high laser intensity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.