Showing papers by "Hai-Lung Tsai published in 2014"

Hybrid Laser-Arc Welding

Abstract: Hybrid laser-arc welding has received increasing interest in both academia and industry in last decade1,2. As shown in Fig. 1, hybrid laser-arc welding is formed by combining laser beam welding and arc welding. Due to the synergic action of laser beam and welding arc, hybrid welding offers many advantages over laser welding and arc welding alone3-6, such as high welding speed, deep penetration7, improved weld quality with reduced susceptibility to pores and cracks8-16, excellent gap bridging ability17-22, as well as good process stability and efficiency, as shown in Fig. 2.

Femtosecond and nanosecond dual-laser optical emission spectroscopy of gas mixtures.

Abstract: A method employing an integrated femtosecond (fs) and nanosecond (ns) dual-laser system was developed to generate plasma with desired radical species from gas mixtures via a fs laser pulse and then to excite selected radical species to higher electronic states using a wavelength-tunable ns laser pulse. An optical spectrometer was used to measure the emission spectra and identify the transition from the excited electronic state to the ground state. The proposed technique has been demonstrated for an N2-CO2 mixture with various time delays between the two fs and ns pulses. The results have indicated that the population of selected radical species at the excited electronic state can be increased using the subsequent ns laser pulse, which also enhances the intensity of emission spectra allowing better identifications of the radical species. This technique holds a promise of detection and identification of signature plasma species, particularly for trace elements and long-distance standoff detections.

Radical species generation and their lifetime extension by a femtosecond and nanosecond dual-laser system

Abstract: For many material processes, desired radical species at excited states are produced which interact with a given substrate for a certain period of time allowing chemical reactions between them to occur and complete. Hence, it is important to maintain the population of the excited radical species for an extended period of time, i.e., their lifetime, which is defined as the time for emission intensity to decay to 1/e of the initial intensity. In this study, a femtosecond–nanosecond (fs–ns) dual-laser system was employed to generate desired radical species via the fs laser and, then, to extend the lifetime of the radical species by the ns laser with different time delays between the two fs–ns laser pulses. The proposed method is demonstrated for a N2–CO2 mixture with CN as the radical species. The results show that the lifetime of CN radical species can be significantly extended, particularly the (3, 3) spectral line which was extended from 30 to 200 ns. By using a wavelength-tunable ns laser, the lifetime of most radical species can be extended which may increase the process efficiency for many material processes.

Micro-Structured Sapphire Fiber Sensors for Simultaneous Measurements of High-T and Dynamic Gas Pressure in Harsh Environments

Abstract: This is the final report for the program “Micro-Structured Sapphire Fiber Sensors for Simultaneous Measurements of High Temperature and Dynamic Gas Pressure in Harsh Environments”, funded by NETL, and performed by Missouri University of Science and Technology, Clemson University and University of Cincinnati from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2014. Securing a sustainable energy economy by developing affordable and clean energy from coal and other fossil fuels is a central element to the mission of The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). To further this mission, NETL funds research and development of novel sensor technologies that can function under the extreme operating conditions often found in advanced power systems. The main objective of this research program is to conduct fundamental and applied research that will lead to successful development and demonstration of robust, multiplexed, microstructured silica and single-crystal sapphire fiber sensors to be deployed into the hot zones of advanced power and fuel systems for simultaneous measurements of high temperature and gas pressure. The specific objectives of this research program include: 1) Design, fabrication and demonstration of multiplexed, robust silica and sapphire fiber temperature and dynamic gas pressure sensors that can survive and maintain fullymore » operational in high-temperature harsh environments. 2) Development and demonstration of a novel method to demodulate the multiplexed interferograms for simultaneous measurements of temperature and gas pressure in harsh environments. 3) Development and demonstration of novel sapphire fiber cladding and low numerical aperture (NA) excitation techniques to assure high signal integrity and sensor robustness.« less