Rock removal by laser: data analysis to identify trends and controlling factors

Zane L. Gordon; Ramona M. Graves; Richard A. Parker

doi:10.1117/12.547138

20 September 2004 Rock removal by laser: data analysis to identify trends and controlling factors

Zane L. Gordon, Ramona M. Graves, Richard A. Parker

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Proceedings Volume 5448, High-Power Laser Ablation V; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.547138
Event: High-Power Laser Ablation, 2004, Taos, New Mexico, United States

Abstract

With interest growing in the earth engineering industries for practical laser applications, research in using lasers for rock destruction progresses every year. This research yields tremendous amounts of data that must be properly documented and analyzed. However, with nearly 20 laser parameters and rock properties to consider, the analysis requires powerful analytical tools as well as proper selection of influential parameters. In an effort to understand laser-rock interaction, this paper presents analysis of several years of data and yields new understanding of the results. Attempts are made to reduce the number of variables used in experiments by performing data analysis with commercial statistical software tools. By using these tools, trends and correlations of variables identified the significant variables that control rock removal by laser. The significant variables that govern the success of rock removal are: the time the rock is exposed to the laser energy and the laser power settings. Furture experiments will be tailored to optimize these variables. Likewise, the variables such as bulk density, which introduce little or no error in resulting calculations, can be eliminated from consideration and can save valuable testing time. From the analyses performed we found that rock density can be ignored in mineralogically simple rock, although further tests must be done on complex rocks in order substantiate its omission in such cases. The observations presented in the paper should aid in developing future rock destruction experiments.

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Zane L. Gordon, Ramona M. Graves, and Richard A. Parker "Rock removal by laser: data analysis to identify trends and controlling factors", Proc. SPIE 5448, High-Power Laser Ablation V, (20 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.547138

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KEYWORDS

Nd:YAG lasers

Neodymium

Carbon dioxide lasers

Carbon dioxide

Gas lasers

Carbon monoxide

Monte Carlo methods

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