Handbook of Laser Welding Technologies

Preface

Seiji Katayama

More than 50 years have passed since a laser beam was first recognized by the irradiation of a pulsed ruby laser. Since then many characteristic lasers such as high-power CO₂ lasers, fiber-delivered YAG lasers and short-wavelength Excimer lasers have been utilized in various industries. Recently, high-efficiency diode lasers, high-quality disk lasers and high-power, high-brightness and compact-sized fiber lasers have been developed and are receiving considerable attention. Moreover, the second or third harmonic solid-state laser, called the green or ultra-violet laser, and the ultra-short pulse laser, often referred to as a femtosecond (fs) or nanosecond (ns) laser, have been developed to search for new applications. ...