The power of light: Self-organized formation of macroscopic amounts of silica melts controlled by laser light

CO2 laser systems with a power output of up to 12 kW continuous wave have been employed for melting high purity amorphous silica (SiO2) powders. Under the intense light irradiation, the migration of matter on the silica sample has been observed. A net mass transport results in the formation of macroscopic structures in the liquid phase. Protrusions of up to 7 mm height are formed against gravitational force and surface tension. For the first time, this work reports on the self-organized formation of macroscopic structures by viscous flow of a dielectric melt driven by laser light