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Laser Metal Deposition Process of Metals, Alloys, and Composite Materials pp 11–35Cite as

Laser Basics and Laser Material Interactions

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Part of the book series: Engineering Materials and Processes ((EMP))

Abstract

LASER is an acronym termed Light Amplification by Simulated Emission of Radiation. The development of laser has evolved since its inception and its application has spanned every aspect of human Endeavour. Laser is a phenomenon that has revolutionized the human world. The unique properties of laser such as monochromaticity, directionality and coherency, are responsible for its being favoured in all its areas of application. The application areas span from the smallest laser found in the compact disc player to the large laser found in the industries. The brief history of laser and the basic principle of laser generation are presented in this chapter. Properties of laser, different types of laser, laser safety and their areas of applications are explained. The types of laser that are used in material processing are also presented. The laser material interaction and how important these lasers are in material processing and their use in additive manufacturing technologies, a revolutionary manufacturing process, are also presented.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by University of Johannesburg research council, University of Ilorin and the L’OREAL-UNESCO for Women in Science.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa

    R. M. Mahamood

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    R. M. Mahamood

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Correspondence to R. M. Mahamood .

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Mahamood, R.M. (2018). Laser Basics and Laser Material Interactions. In: Laser Metal Deposition Process of Metals, Alloys, and Composite Materials. Engineering Materials and Processes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64985-6_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64985-6_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-64984-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-64985-6

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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