GHz femtosecond processing with agile high-power laser

Bursts of GHz repetition rate pulses can significantly improve the ablation efficiency of femtosecond lasers. Depending on the process conditions, thermal mechanisms can be promoted and controlled. GHz ablation therefore combines thermal and non-thermal ablation mechanisms. With an optimal choice of the burst duration, the non-thermal ablation can be highly enhanced by a heating phase due to the first pulses in the burst. The GHz burst mode can be considered as a key function for the “agility” of new high-power lasers.