Spectral Diagnostics of a VaporPlasma Plume Produced
during Welding with a High-Power Ytterbium Fiber Laser

S. A. Uspenskiy^a, P. Yu. Shcheglov^{a, b}, V. N. Petrovskiy^a, A. V. Gumenyuk^b, and M. Rethmeier^b

^a MEPhI National Research Nuclear University, Moscow, 115409 Russia

^b Federal Institute for Material Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, 12205 Germany

Received February 28, 2012

Abstract—We have conducted spectroscopic studies of the welding plasma formed in the process of welding
with an ytterbium fiber laser delivering output power of up to 20 kW. The influence of shielding gases (Ar, He)
on different parts of the welding plume is investigated. The absorption coefficient of the laser radiation by the
welding-plume plasma is estimated. Scattering of 532-nm probe radiation from particles of the condensed metal
vapor within the caustic of a high-power fiber laser beam is measured. Based on the obtained results, conclu-
sions are made on the influence of the plasma formation and metal vapor condensation on the radiation of the
high-power fiber laser and the stability of the welding process.

10.1134/S0030400X13070205

Pleiades Publishing home page | journal home page | top

If you have any problems with this server, contact webmaster.