Three-Dimensional Photochemical Machining with Lasers.
Abstract
The primary objective of this research has been to evaluate the technical feasibility of three-dimensional photochemical machining with lasers, or PCM. PCM is a concept for the rapid fabrication of high-precision three-dimensional solid objects by spatially selective photopolymerization (or, alternatively, de-polymerization) at the intersection point of two intersecting laser beams. To obtain true spatially selective photochemistry, it is necessary to develop systems in which the first laser beam (Beam 1) will pump a photoinitiator or photosensitizer to an unreactive, and spontaneously reversible, metastable intermediate with an energy content less than that required to initiate the desired reaction. The second laser beam (Beam 2) then selectively pumps the intermediate species to an energy level above that required to fragment the photoinitiator and trigger the reaction. In this way, the photochemical reaction can be confined to the intersection point, with no reaction occurring in either beam above. Keywords include: photochemical machining; lasers; polymers; photoinitiators; photosensitizers; porphyrins; prototypes; investment casting.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 28, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA154711
Entities
People
- D. R. Johnson
- R. E. Schwerzel
- V. D. Mcginniss
- V. E. Wood
- W. A. Ivancic
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute