Material properties
US5131957A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S148/903
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for improving properties of a solid material in a target (11) by providing shock waves therein. There are directed to the surface of the material (11) pulses of coherent radiation (12) having average energy fluence of at least about 10 Joules per square centimeter and rise time of not longer than about 5 nanoseconds within a fluorescence envelope lasting about 0.5 to 5 milliseconds, at a rate of about 1 radiation pulse per 100 to 200 microseconds. The leading edge of each pulse (12) is sharpened by providing in its path an aluminum film (18) about 150 to 5000 angstroms thick that is vaporized by the pulse and then is moved across the path so that a later pulse (12) strikes an area of the film (18) not already vaporized by an earlier pulse (12). The radiation (12) is amplified by an amplifier (23) comprising a rod of phosphate laser glass that was strengthened by an ion exchange process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.