Ultrafast Laser Processing

Dr Carter has studied high-power laser manufacturing processes and fibre optics in Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh and St Andrews Universities. Recent research projects have included: high power beam delivery with novel hollow core fibres; fibre optic sensing; micro material processing including machining, drilling and welding; and most recently microwelding of highly dissimilar materials.

Ultrafast laser processing uses laser bursts on the femtosecond scale to effect join together two objects with heat. The use of ultrashort laser burst prevents the heat from spreading to the surroundings, and interfering with the material's properties. This allows for extreme precision, and allows materials such as glass and metal to be welded together.