Cutting efficiency of single shot and burst mode neodymium:YAG lasers

The efficiency of cutting by single pulses and bursts of two, four, and eight pulses from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was determined in a model of a heavy membrane and a loosely floating target. The burst modes cut the targets somewhat more quickly than single shots, but required a marked increase in total energy delivered. Anterior movement of the breakdown zone and posterior displacement of the target explain the energy inefficiency of burst-mode photodisruption.