An integrated computational approach to single-dimensional laser machining of magnesia

Magnesia (MgO) ceramic was machined using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. A mathematical model was developed to predict machined effects. The model took into account the physical phenomena taking place during machining of the ceramic such as multiple reflections influencing the absorbed laser energy, thermal effects in vaporizing the material, dissociation energy losses and effect of vapor pressure in producing a cavity through the ceramic. The laser fluence, machining time and number of pulses required for machining a certain depth of cavity and the efficiency of machining in terms of the specific machining depth were estimated and compared with the experimental data, thus making the model useful for advance energy predictions and enhancement of machining efficiency.