Guide to a Deterministic Control of Laser Materials Processing with Dynamic Beam Shaping

Dynamic beam shaping enables completely new possibilities for improving applications in laser material processing. This involves introducing numerous time constants and fre-quencies that must be set correctly to successfully modify a specific process. The present paper proposes consistent naming of the possible types of dynamic beam shaping and the resulting dynamic process modifications in relation to characteristic time constants and frequencies. The characteristic frequencies define three distinct process regimens that can be related to successful process modifications such as the reducing of pores. An overview of typical time constants and frequencies associated with laser processes is given, to ease the determination of characteristic frequencies involved in beam shaping with DBLs. The knowledge of the process regimes provides a guide to systematically assess suitable beam shaping parameters for specific dynamic process modifications to e.g. control issues such as pores, spiking, or spattering. An example demonstrating the reduction of process pores confirming these findings is included.