Short-pulse lasers generate pulsed laser radiation in the micro- and nanosecond range. In the past, mainly lamp-pumped solid-state lasers were used for this purpose, but they are increasingly being replaced by diode-pumped variants (approx. 40 %) due to their very low efficiency (<5 %).
When short-pulsed laser radiation is used, the base material is vaporized, especially in the range of the highest power density, but to a certain extent it is also melted or merely heated. Disadvantageous effects due to the occurrence of the melt are burrs and a higher heat input compared to UKP lasers, but higher processing rates are possible with short-pulsed lasers.
In metal processing, lasers with a wavelength of about 1000 nm are mainly used, although lasers in the green or even UV range, for example, are also used for better focusability.
We use short-pulse lasers for laser fine cutting, laser drilling, laser ablation, laser structuring, but also for laser welding.
