Ultra-precise manufacturing gets possible when laser radiation of pulse durations in the ps-fs-range is focused on beam diameters of several µm², applying power densities of 1 – 10 GW/cm². Thus, electrons and holes in the valence band as well as in the bonding area are stimulated, forming colour centres in the dielectric material. When such power densities are employed, metal vaporizes with a minimum melt expulsion.

Ultrafast diagnostics can be carried out either by high-speed photography or by pump&probe technology. Especially the pump&probe technology affords the observation of processes running even in the atomic time scale, with 100 fs time-, and 1 µm space-resolution.

Applications
To enable macro- and nanostructuring, a defined absorption of ultrashort-pulsed laser radiation in combination with the transformation of optical energy into chemical or thermal energy is used:

Ultrafast diagnostic methods are used for observation, measurement and control for laser-induced processes, such as drilling, welding or ablation: