Method and apparatus for optimizing the efficiency and quality of laser material processing

Abstract From the Canadian patent

The efficiency of laser welding and other laser material processing is optimized according to this invention by rotating the plane of polarization of a linearly polarized laser beam in relation to a work piece of the material being processed simultaneously and in synchronization with steering the laser beam over the work piece so as to keep the plane of polarization parallel to either the plane of incidence or the direction of travel of the beam in relation to the work piece. Also depending to some extent on the particular processing being accomplished, such as welding or fusing the angle of, incidence of the laser beam on the work piece is kept at or near the polarizing or Brewster's …