Laser and Plasma for Advanced Manufacturing (LPAM)

Carry out Research and Development in applications of lasers and plasmas for advanced manufacturing to support the needs of industry and provide leadership in the field.

Center Mission and Rationale

The mission of the Center for Lasers and Plasmas for Advanced Manufacturing (LAM) is to develop a science, engineering, and technology base for laser and plasma processing of materials, devices, and systems. The Center builds upon existing research being conducted in plasma and photon processing. The Multi-University team has the requisite expertise and equipment, valued in excess of $5 million, to pursue research and development in this area. The Center provides a core technology base in lasers and plasma, support for the creation and growth of innovative collaborations among industry partners, and the opportunity to enhance existing research relationships with federal laboratories.

Research program

Special Activities

In addition to research activities, Center personnel are actively engaged in knowledge and information transfer. The Center also builds upon a number of projects at multiple universities by using the funding from the federal government, industry, and state governments. The Center takes full advantage of its immediate proximity to federal laboratories like NASA Langley Research Center.

Facilities and Laboratory

Some of the world's most advanced apparatus are at the Center's disposal. These include the following:

• Lasers : Nd:YAG, carbon dioxide, excimer, argon ion, high power diode, femtosecond Ti:sapphire, 4 kW cw fiber laser, 2 kW cw/pulsed diode laser, 1 kW cw Nd:YAG laser, two high power pulsed Nd:YAG lasers, two robotized laser and micro plasma cladding stations, two five-axis machining center.
• Surface Coating Systems : multi-target sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, electron beam, ultrahigh vacuum, plasma and ion beam deposition, and etching systems for coating metals, dielectrics, semiconductors, and other films.
• Materials Analysis Systems : Optical, Scanning Electron, and Atomic Force Microscopes; X-ray diffractometer, laboratory for reverse engineering, semiconductor processing clean room (class 100), optoelectronics device characterization laboratory, materials characterization laboratory.