Applications
Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)
Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is a non-invasive, laser optical technique used for determination of the velocity distribution in fluids and gasses.
In PIV, the motion of a fluid or gas is visualised by laser source beam which may be guided by an optomechanical laser articulated arm. Beam terminating optics illuminate a thin sheet of fluid or gas containing added reflective and neutrally buoyant tracer particles. A camera detector is positioned parallel to the illuminated sheet capturing the motion of the particles. Typically, in PIV analysis, two images of the illuminated plane are captured a short time apart. Image processing determines the velocities in the sheet, derived from time difference and the most probable particle displacement.
Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry is a minimally invasive technique for the very fine removal of decayed tooth material by a focused laser beam. A pulsed infra-red laser typically Nd:YAG or CO2 of a few 10’s W is guided and focused by means of a laser articulated arm and optics, a visible guiding beam usually overlap. The beam, operated by a dental surgeon, is guided onto the affected area. The fine focussing minimises the removal of healthy material and is quieter and less painful than conventional drills.
Aesthetic Laser Medicine
Aesthetic Laser Medicine is a technique for the removal of tattoos, reduction and removal of skin blemishes and skin rejuvenation. The wavelength of the chosen laser depends on the application but may be mid IR Q-Switched nS or even pS and is guided by a practitioner using a laser articulated arm onto the area of the skin in either a focussed or defocused beam depending on the treatment. The light energy is transferred to the ink particles or pigment and they decay epidermally.
Industrial Lasers
Industrial Lasers for cutting, welding and micromachining. The flexibility, robustness and stability of the bearing assemblies in the articulating optomechanical laser arm allows a high power industrial laser beam to be directed by a CNC robot. The beam is steered in 3 axis while retaining a fixed path length and constant exit beam axis as the laser energy impinges on the target material. The beam is fully enclosed and therefore protected from any machining contaminants. Typically beams are pulsed CO2 in the mid infra-red around 10µm, and up to 500W average power