The innovative approach to Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) processing has been the subject of extensive research at Fluence in recent months.
Results encompass a variety of beam quality parameters and also compare the edge produced by femtosecond processing with the commonly used picosecond pulse for glass cutting. Surface roughness analysis demonstrates a significant advantage in cutting 100 μm glass with femtoseconds, providing a fivefold reduction in edge roughness (Sa < 100 nm) compared to picoseconds.
“This level of edge precision can be of immense importance, particularly when dealing with delicate materials such as UTG used in foldable displays”, says Bogusz Stępak, the R&D Director of Laser Microprocessing at Fluence’s Ultrafast Laser Application Laboratory. Microcracks resulting from suboptimal processing parameters can lead to reduced screen longevity due to increased susceptibility to breakage. Utilising the glossy-cut edge significantly enhances the quality of the produced screens.
“Furthermore, we have applied a similar method to medical-grade PLA polymer cutting, which is new in the field. Shaped beam of femtosecond laser allows for the processing of transparent, as well as hazy, crystallised polymers, without the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ), which is essential for biomedical applications” – Bogusz continues.
Laser Lines is the UK distributor for Fluence fibre laser systems.
Contact: David Earl