Applications of High Power Solid State Lasers in Nuclear Power Programme

Solid state lasers with fiber optic beam delivery have been established as an advanced flexible tool for remote material processing applications in nuclear field. Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) has developed different types of long pulse Nd:YAG lasers of up to 1 kW average power and 20 kW peak power for cutting and welding applications in radioactive environment. Special laser material processing nozzles and laser beam manipulators have also been developed for specific applications. These lasers, nozzles, and laser beam manipulators have been deployed successfully for in situ cutting of complex nuclear field components in rather unapproachable areas and highly radioactive environment. The use of laser based technology has resulted in enormous saving of MANREM consumption (dose received by the working personnel) and reduction in maintenance shutdown time of reactors as compared to conventional mechanical methods.