Laser ablation device with a closed-loop control system

A laser ablation device with real-time beam power control is designed and implemented. This platform regulates the intensity of the laser beam by continuously measuring its intensity distribution. The quality of the ablation process is optimized through a closed-loop control system that uses a rule-based decision-making approach. The controller generates a starting signal for both the laser power and the motors based on the estimated quality of the ablation. The effects of laser power and light intensity on the formation of microchannels in polymethylmethacrylate material were investigated using the laser beam. The quality of the ablation geometry was assessed through image processing and inspection under a scanning electron microscope. The generated microchannels were analyzed in terms of roughness and residual thermal stress. A comparison of the experimental results with theoretical calculations and simulations revealed that the closed-loop control of laser beam power is effective for material etching and for creating smoother channel profiles.