Laser destruction and treatment of rocks

Experimental study of destructive effect of laser radiation upon rock samples has been carried out. Continuous wave CO2-laser of LT-1 type with power up to 5 kW was used in experiments. The main objective of the study was to find parameters of rock -laser radiation system for the conditions close to real technological processes of cutting rock slits, removing rock blocks and drilling boreholes. The experiments resulted in quantitative indications for efficient destruction of the rocks (quartzite, sandstone, marble, etc) with powerful laser radiation beam as well as in those for processes of cutting and breaking these rocks. Experiments on surface treatment of different rocks (granite, marble, hassock etc) with laser radiation were also carried out.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.