The effect of laser emission mode on the cutting of lithium metal as a solid-state battery anode

Lithium metal as an anode in the solid-state battery is a promising alternative to the intercalation type of anode in the lithium-ion battery. However, cutting of this component mechanically is challenging due to its high surface adhesion, chemical reactivity, and low rigidity. On the other hand, the melting temperature of this material is very low (180 °C) compared to conventional metals, rendering it problematic a stable thermal cutting operation. While the laser is an appealing solution for scaling up the cutting process of lithium metal, the ideal laser type to be used for this operation still requires further attention. Accordingly, this work investigates impact of continuous wave and ns-pulsed laser sources on the cut quality and productivity of 50 µm-thick pure Li sheets. Processing conditions are discussed to address the environmental control issues for reactivity along with the different processing regimes observed.