At the recent Symposium on Advanced Laser Applications, a presentation by Walter Bosenberg of Coherent Inc. entitled, "Diode Laser Heat Treating for Aerospace Applications," was a very good state-of-the art look at current applications for laser transformation hardening (commonly called heat treating). Industrial Laser Solutions will publish a version of this presentation in the November/December issue.

ILS Editor-in-Chief David Belforte asked Dr. Vivian Merchant to consider writing a back-to-basics feature on the subject of laser heat treatment because he is uniquely positioned as one of a select group of industrial materials processing professionals who have lengthy background and experience in this field. His response, "Laser Heat Treatment Simplified," describes three processes: laser transformation hardening, laser annealing, and laser surface melting.