What is the Difference Between Infrared Laser and Ultraviolet Laser? from huangxiangfeng's blog

What is the Difference Between Infrared Laser and Ultraviolet Laser?

Infrared YAG laser is the most widely used laser source in material processing. However, many of the plastic and a large number of special polymers used as the base material of the flexible circuit board can not be processed by infrared or heat treatment. Because of the "hot" make the plastic deformation, carbonization form damage in cutting or drilling on the edge, may lead to the weakening and parasitic conduction pathway structural, and have to increase the number of subsequent treatment process to improve the machining quality. Therefore, the infrared laser is not suitable for the treatment of some flexible circuits. In addition, even in the high energy density, the wavelength of the infrared laser 5000mw can not be absorbed by the copper, which is more demanding to limit its scope of use.

However, the output wavelength of the UV laser is below 0.4 mu m, which is the main advantage of the treatment of the polymer material. And infrared processing is different, UV micro processing is not a heat treatment, and most of the material absorption of ultraviolet light is easier than the absorption of infrared light. High energy ultraviolet photons directly destroy the molecular bonds of many non metallic materials, and the parts that are processed by this "cold" light etching process have a smooth edge and a minimum of carbonization. Moreover, the mechanical properties of short wavelength UV itself on metal and polymer micro processing advantages. It can be focused to sub micron level points, so the processing can be fine components, even when the pulse energy level is not high, can also obtain the energy density is high, effectively materials processing.

Application of fine pores in the industry has been quite extensive, the main way is formed in two ways: First, the use of infrared laser 3000mw: The substance material surface heated and vaporized (evaporated) to remove the material, in this way is commonly referred to thermal processing. Mainly YAG laser (wavelength 1.06μm). Second, using an ultraviolet laser: high-energy ultraviolet photons directly undermines many of the molecular bonds of the surface of non-metallic materials, the molecule from the body, this approach does not produce high heat, it is called cold, mainly UV laser (wavelength 355nm).

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