Abstract

Welds produced on pure aluminum targets using pulsed Nd:YAG lasers can be accurately described using a relatively simple conduction mode heat transfer model provided that the fraction of laser energy absorbed is known and the amount of metal vaporization is small.¹ However, at laser fluences commonly used in many production welding schedules, significant metal vaporization occurs producing a dense luminescent plume of metal vapor.

© 1985 Optical Society of America