Femtosecond laser micromachining of a single-crystal superalloy

Femtosecond laser micromachining of a single crystal superalloy has been investigated. Laser-induced ablation and associated damage was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. These studies indicate a complete absence of conventional processing defects in the vicinity of machining area. The residual roughness of the machined surface was in the sub-micron range.