Laser machining of objects with simultaneous visual monitoring in a copper vapor oscillator-amplifier system

The results are given of the first experiments on laser micromachining of objects by an amplified light beam of specified configuration with simultaneous visual monitoring of the machining process on a screen. A minimum cut width of 2 μ was achieved when machining metallic films deposited on a dielectric substrate. Maximum power densities of 0.1 GW/cm² (average) and 1 TW/cm² (peak) were obtained in a focal spot. Measurements of the contrast of the amplified image showed it to vary negligibly, even under conditions of considerable saturation, over a wide range of machining beam powers and to remain close to that obtained when the beam was absent.