초록 ▼

Energy, such as from three different lasers, is directed at the surface of a substrate to mobilize and vaporize a carbon constituent element (e.g., carbide) within the substrate (e.g., steel). The vaporized constituent element is reacted by the energy to alter its physical structure (e.g., from carb

Energy, such as from three different lasers, is directed at the surface of a substrate to mobilize and vaporize a carbon constituent element (e.g., carbide) within the substrate (e.g., steel). The vaporized constituent element is reacted by the energy to alter its physical structure (e.g., from carbon to diamond) to that of a composite material which is diffused back into the substrate as a composite material. An additional secondary element, which also contains carbon, may optionally be directed (e.g., sprayed) onto the substrate to augment, enhance and/or modify the formation of the composite material, as well as to supply sufficient or additional material for fabricating a diamond or diamond-like coating on the surface of the substrate. The process can be carried out in an ambient environment (e.g., without a vacuum), and without pre-heating or post-cooling of the substrate.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for treating a substrate having a carbon constituent element, the method comprising the steps of:directing laser energy at a surface of the substrate;activating selected amounts of the carbon constituent element within the substrate through the use of said laser

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for treating a substrate having a carbon constituent element, the method comprising the steps of:directing laser energy at a surface of the substrate;activating selected amounts of the carbon constituent element within the substrate through the use of said laser energy thereby effecting movement of the carbon constituent element toward said surface of the substrate;vaporizing selected amounts of a carbon constituent element from the substrate; andmodifying the structure of the vaporized carbon constituent element through the use of said laser energy to form from the vaporized carbon constituent element a diamond or diamond-like carbon material on said surface of the substrate.