Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Peninsula Technikon, 2003 / Systematic laser cladding experiments were performed using a mixture of a Nickel base alloy powder mixed with tungsten carbide powder (percentage contents of tungsten carbide from 10% to 40%) on EN8 steel substrate with pre-placed powder method. Laser cladding of the Nickel base alloy powder + 50% tungsten carbide powder on EN9 steel substrate was performed with powder injection method as well. A Finite Element Method for calculating the surface temperature distribution was used to help prediction of temperature distribution laser cladding results. Composition of cladding materials was designed; a sticking agent was chosen for the pre-placed powder method. Clad coatings were obtained for different process parameters for laser cladding, and a detailed study of the affects of these parameters has been carried out. The characteristic microstructure and properties of the clad layers and interface were investigated by using an optical microscope, a micro hardness tester and a makeshift wear test. A comprehensive review is presented on the dilution of the coating and the typical problems experienced with the coating substrate interface. The results show that microstructure of clad layers comprise three zones: the cladding layer, bonding zone and heat-affected zone. The results showed that tungsten carbide particles increased the hardness and wear resistance as expected. Wear resistance of laser cladding coating is 3.5 times than that of substrate. The micro hardness range of the cladding layer is from RV 981.5 to RV 1187, which is 2-3 times than that of substrate. The micro hardness varies from cladding coating to transition layer then to heat affected zone and substrate along a gradient.

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Electromechanical Engineering

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 L64 / Master of Science

by Lui Bong Chun, Richard. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstract / Acknowledgment / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background for the Project --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Interests in Blue-Green Laser --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Progress of Blue-Green Laser --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Aim of the Project --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Overview the Remaining Parts of this Thesis --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- References --- p.6 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Sum Frequency Generation --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- Sum Frequency Generation --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Theoretical Background for Sum Frequency Generation --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- The Coupled Wave Equations for SFG --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Phase Matching Considerations --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3 --- References --- p.18 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Cerenkov Radiation --- p.19 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.19 / Chapter 3.2 --- The Properties of Cerenkov Radiation by Using TM Mode --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Refractive Index Notation --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Fundamental Wave TM Guides Mode --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Second Harmonic TM Radiation Mode --- p.24 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Efficiency of SHG --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3 --- Simplified Model Analysis of Cerenkov Radiation in TE Mode --- p.29 / Chapter 3.4 --- Simulation --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Modeling the LiNb03 --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Modeling an Asymmetric Slab Waveguide ´ؤPMMA doped with MNA on Fused Quartz --- p.37 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Modeling a Symmetric Slab Waveguide ´ؤPMMA doped with MNA on Fused Quartz --- p.42 / Chapter 3.5 --- References --- p.47 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Ellipsometry --- p.49 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.49 / Chapter 4.2 --- General Principles --- p.49 / Chapter 4.3 --- Basic Operation --- p.50 / Chapter 4.4 --- The Optical Constants of the Bulk Materials --- p.51 / Chapter 4.5 --- Calculation the Refractive Index of the Substrates --- p.53 / Chapter 4.6 --- Ellipsometric Theory for the Thin Film --- p.57 / Chapter 4.7 --- Measurement the Refractive Index and the Thickness of the Thin Film --- p.59 / Chapter 4.7.1 --- Data --- p.62 / Chapter 4.7.2 --- Discussions --- p.73 / Chapter 4.8 --- Calculation the Refractive Index of the thin Film by Considering as a Bulk Material --- p.78 / Chapter 4.9 --- References --- p.80 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Prism Coupling --- p.81 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.81 / Chapter 5.2 --- Coupling of a Plane Wave --- p.82 / Chapter 5.3 --- Numerical Approach for the Calculation of the Coupling Efficiency --- p.85 / Chapter 5.4 --- Experiment --- p.88 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Experimental Setup --- p.88 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Experimental Result and Discussions --- p.90 / Chapter 5.5 --- References --- p.92 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusion --- p.93 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Future Plans --- p.96 / Chapter 7.1 --- Simplified Model of Corona Poling --- p.96 / Chapter 7.2 --- Advanced Models of Poling --- p.98 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Slab Waveguide --- p.98 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Channel Waveguide --- p.99 / Chapter 7.3 --- References --- p.100 / Chapter Appendix 1 --- Materials' Descriptions --- p.A-l / Chapter A.1.1 --- 2-Methyl-4-Nitoaniline --- p.A-1 / Chapter A.1.2 --- Poly ( Methyl Methacrylate ) --- p.A-3 / Chapter A.1.3 --- References --- p.A-4 / Chapter Appendix 2 --- Fabrication Procedures --- p.A-5 / Chapter A.2.1 --- Cleaning the Apparatus --- p.A-5 / Chapter A.2.2 --- Cleaning the Substrate --- p.A-5 / Chapter A.2.3 --- Thin film Fabrication --- p.A-5 / Chapter A.2.4 --- Thin Film Removal --- p.A-6 / Chapter A.2.5 --- References --- p.A-6 / Chapter Appendix 3 --- Alpha Step --- p.A-7 / Chapter A.3.1 --- Introduction --- p.A-7 / Chapter A.3.2 --- Experimental Setup --- p.A-8 / Chapter A.3.3 --- Experimental Results --- p.A-9 / Chapter A.3.3.1 --- Thin Film of PMMA without Dopant --- p.A-9 / Chapter A.3.3.2 --- Thin Film of PMMA doped with MNA --- p.A-19 / Chapter A.3.4 --- Discussions --- p.A-27 / Chapter A.3.5 --- References --- p.A-28 / Chapter Appendix 4 --- Scanning Electron Microscope --- p.A-29 / Chapter A.4.1 --- Scanning Electron Microscope --- p.A-29 / Chapter A.4.2 --- Reference --- p.A-30 / Chapter Appendix 5 --- Gaussian Beam & Coordinate System Transformation --- p.A-31 / Chapter A.5.1 --- Gaussian Beam in a Homogeneous Medium --- p.A-31 / Chapter A.5.2 --- Transformation of the Coordinate Systems --- p.A-32 / Chapter A.5.3 --- Reference --- p.A-32 / Chapter Appendix 6 --- Waist Size Measurement of Gaussian Beam --- p.A-33 / Chapter A.6.1 --- Waist Size Measurement of Gaussian Beam --- p.A-33 / Chapter A.6.2 --- References --- p.A-34 / Chapter Appendix 7 --- Quasi Phase Matching --- p.A-35 / Chapter A. 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.A-35 / Chapter A.7.2 --- Basic Concept of QPM --- p.A-36 / Chapter A.7.3 --- References --- p.A-38 / Chapter Appendix 8 --- Program Listing --- p.A-41 / Chapter A.8.1 --- Program Listing ( Chapter 3 ) --- p.A-41 / Chapter A.8.1.1 --- Program 3.1 (transcendental.m ) --- p.A-41 / Chapter A.8.1.2 --- Program 3.2 (linbo3.m) --- p.A-42 / Chapter A.8.2 --- Program Listing ( Chapter 4 ) --- p.A-45 / Chapter A.8.2.1 --- Program 4.1 ( ellipsometry.m ) --- p.A-45 / Chapter A.8.3 --- Program Listing ( Chapter 5 ) --- p.A-47 / Chapter A.8.3.1 --- Program 5.1 ( parameter.m ) --- p.A-47 / Chapter A.8.3.2 --- Program 5.2 ( coupling.m ) --- p.A-49 / Chapter A.8.3.3 --- Program 5.3 ( v_3_amp.m ) --- p.A-50 / Chapter A.8.3.4 --- Program 5.4 ( input_profile.m ) --- p.A-51

In this study an initial assessment of the composition – microstructure – property relationships in binary and ternary Ti – based systems are made possible using LENSTM technology. Laser Engineering Net Shaping (LENSTM), a rapid prototyping, directed laser deposition methodology of additive manufacturing (AM) was used to create bulk homogenous specimens that are compositionally graded. Compositionally graded specimens were made possible by incorporating elemental blends of powder during the LENSTM process. While there have been numerous studies assessing the influence of common elements (e.g., V, Mo, Al, and Cr) on the resulting microstructure in titanium alloys, other elements have been neglected. A systematic study of the Ti – Fe – Al ternary system based upon varying compositions of the eutectoid former, Fe with Al to stabilize the a and b phases respectively has also been neglected. This research effort focuses on exploiting the LENSTM process by rapidly assessing the composition – microstructure – property relationships in a combinatorial approach for the Ti – W, Ti – Fe, and Ti – Fe – Al systems. Compositionally graded specimens of Ti – xW (0<x<40wt.%(14.79at.%)), Ti – xFe (0<x<35wt.%(36.37at.%)), and Ti – xFe – yAl (0<x<40wt.%(36.37at.%)), y=5,10, 15wt.%) have been heat treated to also assess the influence of thermal history on microstructural features such as phase composition and volume fraction. Lastly, a Ti – xMo (0<x<40wt.%(24.96at.%)) compositionally graded specimen was deposited to re-assess the Mo-equivalency nature of W, as well as assess the role of phase separation in microstructural evolution at temperatures above and below the invariant point (~695°C) of the Ti – W binary system.

This thesis presents an investigation of novel laser assisted micromachining processes that addresses the limitations of micromachining of hard-to-machine materials. Two different laser assisted approaches are used to machine hard metals and high strength ceramics. For hard metals, the basic approach involves localized thermal softening of the workpiece material by focusing a solid-state continuous wave near infra-red laser beam in front of the micro milling tool (end mills of 0.1 to 0.5 mm diameter). By suitably controlling the laser power, spot size and scan speed, it is possible to produce a sufficiently large reduction in the flow strength of the work material and consequently the cutting forces and tool deflections. A force model is developed to predict the cutting forces in Laser Assisted Micro Milling (LAMM) of hard metals. For high strength ceramics, the approach involves use of a two step process. In the first step, thermal cracks are generated in a confined volume by the steep thermal gradients generated by laser irradiation of the workpiece. In the second step, the weakened region is removed by a micro grinding tool. The characterization and modeling of the process serve as bases for users of the two approaches to select optimal process parameters.

D.Ing. / An optimal laser pulser topology for employment in a future commercial molecular laser isotope separation (MLIS) plant is proposed by this thesis. It is pointed out in the introduction that power modulator research and development were performed without much regard to economic constraints in the past. These conditions were mainly caused by international strategic initiatives and spawned a wealth of different circuit topologies and techniques. Many more can be devised by using the various subsystems of these topologies and techniques in different combinations. However, under the paradigm of a modern day commercial application, the luxury of trying yet another new topology, merely on the merits of personal preference, does not exist. Therefore, it is proposed that a laser pulser topology be formally selected by using suitable criteria derived from the application. Formal definitions are provided for the general subsystems found in all laser excitation systems, as a foundation for the selection process. The available options for each subsystem type, as well as the options for combining them into various topologies are described. Many examples are quoted from the literature to corroborate the basic descriptions. Practical circuit issues are dealt with in an appendix. Selection criteria are determined by contemplating the theory and practical issues of pulse power technology, transversely excited atmospheric carbon dioxide lasers as well as molecular laser isotope separation. It is argued that all of these criteria can be combined into a single economic criterion, namely life cycle cost. This argument is supported by the commercial requirement of economic viability of the future plant. The author formulates a life cycle cost calculation model (LCCCM) from all the technical and economic issues previously mentioned. It includes a flexible design section that can accommodate any of the possible topology options. Cost functions, which include reliability analysis, are used to calculate capital and operating costs from the design parameters, throughout the life cycle of the plant. Probability theory is used to model parameters with indeterminate values. The use of the LCCCM and its subtleties are demonstrated by comparing two basic options in a case study. It is finally used in a reasoned process of elimination to find the best topology option for the application.

M.Phil. / This dissertation describes the design and experimental realization of an all-optical active Q-switched Erbium-doped fibre ring laser. The aim of this research is to propose an approach of Q-switching mechanism for a fibre laser. The Q-switch device combines a fibre Bragg grating and a tunable fibre Fabry-Perot filter. The Q-switching principle is based on dynamic spectral overlapping of two filters, namely FBG based filter and tunable F-P filter. When the spectra overlap, the filter system has the maximum transparency, the laser cavity has minimal losses and it can release the stored power in the form of the giant impulse. A series of experiments are performed to optimize the all-optical active Q-switched Erbium-doped ring laser system in term of output peak power and time duration of laser pulses. Two different Erbium-doped fibres having different Erbium ion concentration are used in this experimental investigation. The first fibre, with an Erbium ion concentration of 2200 ppm and pump absorption of 23.4 at 980 nm is referred to as “high concentration” and the second with an Erbium ion concentration of 960 ppm and pump absorption of 12.4 at 980 nm is referred to as “low concentration” To optimize the Q-switched fibre laser system, different parameters were investigated such as the length of the Erbium-doped fibre, the output coupling ratio, the repetition rate of pulses and the concentration of the Erbium Doped Fibres. The achieved output laser pulse characteristics, peak power and time duration, were 580 mW and 13 μs respectively, at 1 kHz of repetition rate. These characteristics were obtained using a length of 3.5 m “low concentration” Erbium-doped fibre in a ring laser cavity; the output coupling is 90 %, for a pump power of 80 mW. Employing this all-optical Q-switching approach, a simple, robust all-optical active Q-switched Erbium-doped laser is demonstrated.

The excimer-laser annealed (ELA) polycrystalline silicon (p-Si or polysilicon) thin film, which influences more than 100-billion-dollar display market, is the backplane material of the modern advanced LCD and OLED products. The microstructure (i.e. ELA microstructure) and surface morphology of an ELA p-Si thin film are the two main factors determining the material properties, and they significantly affect the performance of the subsequently fabricated thin film transistors (TFTs). The microstructure is the result of a rather complex crystallization process during the ELA which is characterized as far-from-equilibrium, multiple-pulse-per-area and processing-parameter dependent. Studies of the ELA microstructure and the surface morphology closely related to the device performance as well as the microstructure evolution during the ELA process are long-termly demanded by both the scientific research and the industrial applications, but unfortunately have not been thoroughly performed in the past. The main device-performance-related characteristics of the ELA microstructure are generally considered to be the grain size and the presence of the dense grain boundaries. In the work of this thesis, an image-processing-based program (referred to as the GB extraction program) is developed to extract the grain boundary map (GB map) out of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of the ELA microstructure. The grain sizes are straightforwardly calculated from the GB map and statistically analyzed. More importantly, based on the GB maps, we propose and perform a rigorous scheme that we call the local-microstructure analysis (LMA) to quantitatively and systematically analyze the spatial distribution of the grain boundaries. The “local area” is mainly defined by the geometry and the location of a TFT. The successful extraction of the GB map and the subsequent LMA are permitted by our unique TEM skills to produce high-resolution TEM micrographs containing statistically significant number of grains for sensible quantitative analysis. The LMA unprecedentedly enables quantitative and rigorous analysis of spatial characteristics of the microstructure, especially the device geometry- and location-related characteristics. Additionally, we present and highlight the benefits of the LMA approach over the traditional statistical grain-size analysis of the ELA microstructure. From the grain-size analysis, we find that grain size across a statistically significant number of grains generally follows the same distribution as in the stochastic grain growth scenario at the beginning of the ELA process when the laser pulse (i.e. shot) number is small. As the shot number increases, the overall grain size monotonically increases while the distribution profile becomes broader. When the scan number reaches the ELA threshold (several tens of laser shots), the distribution profile substantially deviates from the stochastic profile and shows two sharp peaks in grain size around 300nm and 450nm, which is consistent with the previously proposed theory of energy coupling and nonuniform energy deposition during ELA. From the LMA, local nonuniformity of grain boundary density (GB density) at the device length scales and regions of high grain boundary periodicity are identified. More importantly, we find that the local nonuniformity is much more pronounced when p-Si film exhibits some level of spatial ordering, but less pronounced for a random grain arrangement. It is worth noting that the devices of different sizes and orientation have different sensitivity to the local nonuniformity of the ELA-generated p-Si thin film. In addition, based on the analysis results, the connection between the microstructure evolution and the partial melting and resolidification process of the Si film is discussed. Aside from the microstructure, the surface morphology of the ELA films, featuring pronounced surface protrusions, is characterized via an atomic force microscope (AFM). Attempts to planarize those surface protrusions detrimental to the subsequent device performance are conducted. In the attempts, the as-is (oxide-capped) ELA films and the BHF-treated ELA films are subjected to single shots of excimer irradiation. When the results are compared, an anisotropic melting phenomenon of the p-Si grains is identified, which appears to be strongly affected by the presence of the surface oxide capping layer. Conceptual models are developed and numerical simulations are employed to explain the observation of the anisotropic melting phenomenon and the effect of the surface oxide layer. Eventually, 41.8% reduction of root mean square (RMS) surface roughness is achieved for BHF-treated ELA films. The results gained in the systematic analysis of the ELA microstructure and the attempt of surface planarization further our understanding about (1) the device performance-related material microstructure of the ELA p-Si thin films, (2) the microstructure evolution occurring during multiple shots of the ELA process, and (3) the fundamental phase transformations in the far-from-equilibrium melt-mediated excimer-laser annealing processing of p-Si thin films. Such understanding could help engineers when designing the microelectronic devices and the ELA manufacturing process, as well as provide scientific researchers with insights on the melting and solidification of general polycrystalline materials, thus profoundly contributing to both the related scientific society and the technological community. The GB extraction program and the LMA scheme developed and demonstrated in the thesis, as another contribution to the related research filed, could also be generalized to the microstructural study of other polycrystalline materials where grain geometry and arrangement are of concern.

MScEng / Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Accurate dimensional measurement devices are critical for international industrial competitiveness for South Africa. An overview of all the necessary components of a laser tracking system using a multilateration technique for very accurate dimensional metrology is presented. A prototype laser tracker station was built to further investigate this type of system. The prototype successfully tracks a target within a volume of at least 200 200 200 mm3, approximately 300 mm away from the tracker. This system includes the mechanical design of a prototype tracker station, electronic implementation of ampli cation and motor control circuits, a tracking control algorithm, microcontroller programming and interfacing, as well as a user interface. Kinematic modelling along with Monte Carlo analyses nd the main error source of such a tracker as the beam steering mechanism gimbal axes misalignment. Multilateration is also motivated by the results found by the analysis. Furthermore, an initial sequential multilateration algorithm is developed and tested. The results of these tests are promising and motivate the use of multilateration over a single beam laser tracking system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is van kritieke belang dat Suid-Afrika akkurate dimensionele metingstoestelle ontwikkel vir internasionale industriële medinging. 'n Oorsig van al die nodige komponente vir 'n Laser-Volgsisteem, wat slegs van multilaterasie gebruik maak om baie akkurate drie dimensionele metings te kan neem, word in hierdie projek voorgestel. 'n Prototipe Laser-Volgsisteem-stasie word gebou om so 'n sisteem verder te ondersoek. Die prototipe slaag wel daarin om 'n teiken, binne 'n volume van 200 200 200 mm3 op 'n afstand van omtrent 300 mm te volg. Die sisteem sluit die meganiese ontwerp van die sodanige stasie, elektroniese seinversterking, motorbeheer, 'n volgingsbeheer algoritme, mikroverwerker programeering en intergrasie, asook 'n gebruikerskoppelvlak program in. Kinematiese modelering, tesame met Monte Carlo simulasies, toon aan dat die hoof oorsaak van metingsfoute by so 'n stasie by die rotasie-asse van die laserstraal-stuurmeganisme, wat nie haaks is nie, lê. Die multilaterasie metode word ook verder ondersteun deur dié modelering. 'n Algoritme wat sekwensiële multilateratsie toepas word boonop ontwikkel en getoets. Die resultate van die toetse dui daarop dat die algoritme funksioneer en dat daar voordele daarin kan wees om so 'n metode in plaas van 'n Enkelstraal-Volgsisteem te gebruik.