Influence of beam polarization on laser cutting efficiency

The three-dimensional (3D) theory of laser cutting is presented. The cutting efficiency determined by its ultimate parameters at different types of polarization is estimated. The physical reasons for limitations of ultimate cutting parameters at a plane P-polarized beam are displayed. In the case of cutting metals with a large ratio of sheet thickness to width of the cut, the laser cutting efficiency for a radially polarized beam is 1.5 - 2 times larger than for plane P-polarized and circularly polarized beams. The possibility of generating the radially polarized beam is discussed.