Laser passes are not linearly additive. As an oxide layer grows, it acts as a Diffusion Barrier, making each successive pass less effective than the last.
Act I: The Bug
The "Stalled Color" Fallacy
Number of Passes (Weak)10
Layer Thickness
22 nm
Growth Rate
Stalled
The Failure: You cannot achieve Deep Blue by simply running 50 weak passes. According to the Parabolic Rate Law, the existing oxide layer blocks new oxygen from reaching the metal. Growth stalls at a pale straw color.
Act II: The Fix
Barrier Breakthrough (Peak Dose)
Peak Dose (J/mm²)0.45
Effective Depth
95 nm
Color Shift
Deep Blue
The Success: To overcome the Diffusion Barrier, you must increase the Peak Dose. A single high-intensity pass is more effective than dozens of sub-threshold passes because it provides the activation energy needed to push growth into the Blue zone.