Using the beam polarization to enhance the energy coupling in laser beam welding

Abstract
From the laser beam cutting of metals, a strong effect of the beam polarisation referring to the cutting direction is known. In laser welding this effect is relatively unknown. Experimental results show that a strong polarisation effect could take place in deep welding too if some threshold conditions are fulfilled. Using the right beam polarization e.g. pipes could be welded quicker than with an unpolarized beam. It is possible to weld pipes or plates much faster than with normal keyhole welding if the beam polarization is used in a way that the beam is guided to the joining point. This technique is presented in this paper.

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