TY - JOUR A1 - Kefer, Stefan A1 - Zettl, Julian A1 - Esen, Cemal A1 - Hellmann, Ralf T1 - Femtosecond Laser-Based Micromachining of Rotational-Symmetric Sapphire Workpieces JF - Materials N2 - Sapphire is a robust and wear-resistant material. However, efficient and high-quality micromachining is still a challenge. This contribution demonstrates and discusses two novels, previously unreported approaches for femtosecond laser-based micromachining of rotational-symmetric sapphire workpieces, whereas both methods are in principal hybrids of laser scanning and laser turning or laser lathe. The first process, a combination of a sequential linear hatch pattern in parallel to the workpiece’s main axis with a defined incremental workpiece rotation, enables the fabrication of sapphire fibers with diameters of 50 µm over a length of 4.5 mm. Furthermore, sapphire specimens with a diameter of 25 µm over a length of 2 mm can be fabricated whereas an arithmetical mean height, i.e., Sa parameter, of 281 nm is achieved. The second process combines a constant workpiece feed and orthogonal scanning with incremental workpiece rotation. With this approach, workpiece length limitations of the first process are overcome and sapphire fibers with an average diameter of 90 µm over a length of 20 cm are manufactured. Again, the sapphire specimen exhibits a comparable surface roughness with an average Sa value of 249 nm over 20 cm. Based on the obtained results, the proposed manufacturing method paves an innovative and flexible, all laser-based way towards the fabrication or microstructuring of sapphire optical devices, and thus, a promising alternative to chemical processes. KW - sapphire KW - femtosecond laser KW - micromachining KW - laser turning KW - ablation threshold KW - Femtosekundenlaser KW - Saphir Y1 - 2022 UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/15/18/6233 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/ ma15186233 VL - 15 IS - 18 SP - 6233 EP - 6233 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Häfner, Tom A1 - Bischoff, Kay A1 - Helm, Jonas A1 - Kunz, Tim A1 - Rung, Stefan A1 - Esen, Cemal A1 - Hellmann, Ralf T1 - Picosecond laser microvia drilling of ABF material using MHz burst mode JF - Materials Research Express N2 - We report on a comprehensive study of laser percussion microvia drilling of Ajinomoto build-up film (ABF) material using an ultrashort pulsed laser in MHz burst mode. After laser processing, microvia drilling quality is being evaluated by the fabricated diameter and taper using laser scanning microscopy and metallography. The influences of the incubation effect, heat accumulation and shielding effects as a result of pulse to pulse interactions are being discussed on the ablation threshold, penetration depth and laser microvia drilling quality. We find that an increasing heat accumulation in MHz burst mode processing is responsible for the void formation and delamination of the insulating ABF layer. Therefore, the parameter clearance is introduced to evaluate these effects on the microvia sidewalls. For a comparable clearance, applying 2 intra-burst pulses achieves an average reduced taper of down to 19.5% compared to single pulse mode. At the same time, a reduced laser drilling time of 16.7% per microvia highlights the enormous potential of the MHz burst mode for laser drilling of ABF material in printed circuit board fabrication. KW - Ultrakurzzeitlaser KW - Pikosekundenbereich Y1 - 2023 VL - 10 IS - 9 SP - 096301 EP - 096311 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Franz, Daniel A1 - Mücke, Dominik A1 - Kunz, Tim A1 - Rung, Stefan A1 - Esen, Cemal A1 - Hellmann, Ralf T1 - UV picosecond laser drilling of ABF film material for printed circuit boards using laser burst mode and beam shaping T2 - International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO) 2023 N2 - We report on an experimental study of laser microvia percussion drilling of Ajinomoto build-up film (ABF) material using an ultrashort pulsed laser in the ultraviolet region. In order to optimize the drilling quality in terms of the fabricated taper and microvia diameter, the MHz burst mode is used in combination with both a Gaussian and a top-hat laser intensity distribution. To evaluate the influence of the top-hat beam shape on defocusing, microvias were drilled at different z-positions in the range of 200 μm evenly distributed around the focal plane. The drilling quality was evaluated by laser scanning microscopy and metallography. When using a top-hat beam shape, a reduced taper of down to 26.8 % on average is achieved compared to a Gaussian beam. For the application of 3 intra-burst pulses, we find an improvement of the taper by 11.6% compared to the single pulse mode due to the increasing heat accumulation. Using a top-hat beam shape in combination with the MHz burst mode, an 18.2 % reduction in laser drilling time for a microvia with a similar taper is remarkable, demonstrating the high potential for scaling throughput in electronics manufacturing. KW - Pikosekundenbereich KW - Laserbohren Y1 - 2023 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zettl, Julian A1 - Esen, Cemal A1 - Hellmann, Ralf T1 - Fundamental Considerations and Analysis of the Energy Distribution in Laser Turning with Ultrashort Laser Pulses JF - mdpi Micromachines N2 - This article discusses the process of the laser turning of rotational symmetric, cylindrical components using ultrashort laser pulses with respect to the geometrical conditions and the resulting energy distribution during the laser turning process. As a result, process predictions and potential process optimizations are feasible. Particular attention is drawn to the laser spot formation on the cylindrical surface of the work piece in conjunction with the positioning of the laser beam relative to the rotation axis of the specimen. Based on fundamental calculations and experimental results, an optimum processing strategy is discussed, whereat the use of a trepanning optic in the laser turning process and the forming of a particular surface structure is additionally being issued. KW - ultrashort pulse laser KW - laser turning KW - tangential processing KW - trepanning optic KW - Ultrakurzzeitlaser Y1 - 2023 UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/10/1838 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14101838 VL - 14 IS - 10 SP - 1 EP - 15 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lutz, Christian A1 - Helm, Jonas A1 - Tschirpke, Katrin A1 - Esen, Cemal A1 - Hellmann, Ralf T1 - Drilling Sequence Optimization Using Evolutionary Algorithms to Reduce Heat Accumulation for Femtosecond Laser Drilling with Multi-Spot Beam Profiles JF - MDPI Materials N2 - We report on laser drilling borehole arrays using ultrashort pulsed lasers with a particular focus on reducing the inadvertent heat accumulation across the workpiece by optimizing the drilling sequence. For the optimization, evolutionary algorithms are used and their results are verified by thermal simulation using Comsol and experimentally evaluated using a thermal imaging camera. To enhance process efficiency in terms of boreholes drilled per second, multi-spot approaches are employed using a spatial light modulator. However, as higher temperatures occur across the workpiece when using simultaneous multi-spot drilling as compared to a single-spot process, a subtle spatial distribution and sequence of the multi-spot approach has to be selected in order to limit the resulting local heat input over the processing time. Different optimization approaches based on evolutionary algorithms aid to select those drilling sequences which allow for the combination of a high efficiency of multi-spot profiles, a low-generated process temperature and a high-component quality. In particular, using a 4 x 4 laser spot array allows for the drilling of 40,000 boreholes in less than 76 s (526 boreholes/s) with a reduced temperature increase by about 35%, as compared to a single spot process when employing an optimized drilling sequence. KW - USP laser processing KW - Laser drilling KW - Optimization of heat accumulation KW - Evolutionary Algorithms KW - Thermal simualtions KW - Laserbohren KW - Ultrakurzzeitlaser Y1 - 2023 UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/17/5775 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16175775 VL - 2023 IS - 16/5775 SP - 1 EP - 12 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sommer, David A1 - Esen, Cemal A1 - Hellmann, Ralf T1 - Static and Dynamic Mechanical Behaviour of Hybrid-PBF-LB/M-Built and Hot Isostatic Pressed Lattice Structures JF - Mechanical Properties of Polymeric, Metallic, and Composite Materials N2 - We report on a comprehensive study of the mechanical properties of maraging steel body-centred cubic lattice structures fabricated by a hybrid additive manufacturing technology that combines laser powder bed fusion with in situ high-speed milling. As the mechanical properties of additive manufactured components are inferior to, e.g., cast components, surface modifications can improve the mechanical behaviour. Different hybrid additive manufacturing technologies have been designed using additive and subtractive processes, improving process quality. Following this, mechanical testing is performed with respect to static tensile properties and dynamic stress, hardness, and porosity, comparing specimens manufactured by laser powder bed fusion only to those manufactured by the hybrid approach. In addition, the influence of different heat-treatment techniques on the mechanical behaviour of the lattice structures is investigated, namely solution and aging treatment as well as hot isostatic pressing. Thus, the influence of the superior surface quality due to the hybrid approach is evaluated, leading to, e.g., an offset of about 14–16% for the static testing of HIP lattice structures. Furthermore, the dynamic load behaviour can be improved with a finished surface, heading to a shift of the different zones of fatigue behaviour in the testing of hybrid-built specimens. KW - Hybrid additive manufacturing KW - Lattice structures KW - Hot isostatic pressing KW - Fatigue behaviour KW - Isostatisches Heißpressen KW - Selektives Laserschmelzen Y1 - 2023 UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/9/3556 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16093556 VL - 16 IS - 9 SP - 1 EP - 14 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bischoff, Kay A1 - Mücke, Dominik A1 - Roth, Gian-Luca A1 - Esen, Cemal A1 - Hellmann, Ralf T1 - UV-Femtosecond-Laser Structuring of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer JF - Polymers N2 - We report on the laser ablation of cyclic olefin copolymer using an amplified ultrashort pulsed laser in the ultraviolet spectral range. In addition to a high ablation depth per laser-structured layer up to 74 μm at a fluence of 22 J cm−2, an excellent mean roughness 𝑅𝑎 of laser-patterned surfaces down to 0.5 μm is demonstrated. Furthermore, with increasing fluence, increasing ablation efficiencies up to 2.5 mm3 W−1 min−1 are determined. Regarding the quality of the ablation, we observed steep ablation flanks and low debris formation, though for fluences above 10.5 J cm−2 the formation of troughs was observed, being attributed to multiple reflections on the ablation flanks. For comparison, laser ablation was performed under identical conditions with an infrared laser wavelength. The results highlight that UV ablation exhibits significant advantages in terms of ablation efficiency, surface roughness and quality. Moreover, our results show that a larger UV focus spot accelerates the ablation process with comparable quality, paving the way for high-power UV ultrashort pulsed lasers towards an efficient and qualitative tool for the laser machining of cyclic olefin copolymer. The production of complex microfluidics further underlines the suitability of this type of laser. KW - Femtosekundenlaser Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14142962 VL - 14 IS - 14 SP - 2962 EP - 2962 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bischoff, Kay A1 - Kefer, Stefan A1 - Wienke, Alexander A1 - Overmeyer, Ludger A1 - Kaierle, Stefan A1 - Esen, Cemal A1 - Hellmann, Ralf T1 - Integration of Bragg gratings in aerosol-jetted polymer optical waveguides for strain monitoring capabilities JF - Optics Letters N2 - We demonstrate and discuss the integration of Bragg gratings in aerosol-jetted polymer optical waveguides, produced in the optical assembly and connection technology for component-integrated bus systems (OPTAVER) process. By using a femtosecond laser and adaptive beam shaping, an elliptical focal voxel generates different types of single pulse modification by nonlinear absorption in the waveguide material, which are arranged periodically to form Bragg gratings. Integration of a single grating structure or, alternatively, an array of Bragg grating structures in the multimode waveguide yields a pronounced reflection signal with typical multimodal properties, i.e., a number of reflection peaks with non-Gaussian shapes. However, the main wavelength of reflection, located around 1555 nm, is evaluable by means of an appropriate smoothing algorithm. When loaded by mechanical bending, a pronounced Bragg wavelength shift of this reflected peak up to 160 pm is detected. This demonstrates that the additively manufactured waveguides can be used not only for signal transmission but also as a sensor. KW - Bragg-Reflektor KW - Lichtwellenleiter Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.481801 VL - 48 IS - 7 SP - 1778 EP - 1781 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bischoff, Kay A1 - Esen, Cemal A1 - Hellmann, Ralf T1 - Preparation of Dispersed Copper(II) Oxide Nanosuspensions as Precursor for Femtosecond Reductive Laser Sintering by High-Energy Ball Milling JF - Nanomaterials N2 - This contribution demonstrates and discusses the preparation of finely dispersed copper(II) oxide nanosuspensions as precursors for reductive laser sintering (RLS). Since the presence of agglomerates interferes with the various RLS sub-processes, fine dispersion is required, and oversized particles must be identified by a measurement methodology. Aside from the established method of scanning electron microscopy for imaging individual dried particles, this work applies the holistic and statistically more significant laser diffraction in combination with dynamic image analysis in wet dispersion. In addition to direct ultrasonic homogenization, high-energy ball milling is introduced for RLS, to produce stable nanosuspensions with a high fine fraction, and, above all, the absence of oversize particles. Whereas ultrasonic dispersion stagnates at particle sizes between 500 nm and 20 μm, even after 8 h, milled suspension contains a high proportion of finest particles with diameters below 100 nm, no agglomerates larger than 1 μm and a trimodal particle size distribution with the median at 50 nm already, after 100 min of milling. The precursor layers produced by doctor blade coating are examined for their quality by laser scanning microscopy. The surface roughness of such a dry film can be reduced from 1.26 μm to 88 nm by milling. Finally, the novel precursor is used for femtosecond RLS, to produce homogeneous, high-quality copper layers with a sheet resistance of 0.28 Ω/sq and a copper mass concentration of 94.2%. KW - Laserstrahlsintern KW - Femtosekundenlaser Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13192693 VL - 13 IS - 19 SP - 2693 EP - 2693 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Bischoff, Kay A1 - Esen, Cemal A1 - Hellmann, Ralf T1 - Acceleration of Femtosecond Reductive Laser Sintering of Copper(II) Oxide for Conductive Copper Patterns on Cyclic Olefin Copolymers T2 - International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO) 2023 N2 - We report on the acceleration of femtosecond reductive laser sintering of copper (II) oxide on the surface of transparent cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) by varying the focus size to generate metallic copper (Cu) layers. By using different focusing conditions, different process speeds are achieved, and the structural accuracies are controlled. The formation of Cu lines is observed for different focus sizes at various scan speeds, which is attributed to laser exposure duration and chemical reaction time. The formed lines are categorized and measured by optical microscopy and provide the basis for two-dimensional Cu surfaces. By hatching, high quality conductive films are produced with an increased focus diameter of up to 400 µm at a scan speed of 400 mm/s and a hatch distance of 250 µm resulting in a multiple increased process speed by a factor of thirteen compared to previous research. Using 4-tip measurement , a low sheet resistance of 0.165 Ω/sq was validated on these Cu films, which have an atomic Cu content of 89.5%. KW - Femtosekundenlaser Y1 - 2023 ER -