Novel X-ray System for in-situ Diagnostics of Laser Based Processes – First Experimental Results

The comprehensive diagnostics of melt pool and keyhole dynamics is crucial in the ambitious efforts of understanding the complex behaviour of laser welding and cutting processes. A major drawback of commonly used in-situ diagnostics is the fact that high-speed cameras and other optical sensors reveal only phenomena on the surface of the process. This paper describes a novel high-speed x-ray diagnostics system that enables the view inside the samples with high spatial as well as high temporal resolution. Calibration images demonstrated the detection of features well below 250 μm in steel. In combination with maximum detection rates exceeding 10,000 Hz it enables outstanding new possibilities for direct observation of the keyhole and fluid dynamics.