Has anyone ever heard of this process, or something similar? It's a
literal translation of the German term "Laserstrahlsublimierschneiden"
and it crops up in a translation I'm doing that describes various
laser cutting techniques. I just want to know whether this literal
translation is OK or, if not, what the correct term is in English.
Thanks.

Greetings!

What an interesting question. Laser cutting and engraving is a
facinating topic.   While you are close with 'subliminal', the
translation you have is slightly off. The more accurate translation is
"Laser beam sublimating cuts", or "Laser beam sublimation cuts".

Laser sublimation cutting is a process where the beam instantaneously
(or at least within the pulse of the laser) vaporizes the material
being cut. This requires a considerably higher power level than
standard laser cuts that simply melt the material.
From Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing, September 2001 (Out
of google cache)

"In the laser process known as sublimation cutting, part of the
material evaporates due to the absorbed laser energy. Due to the
pressure caused by the metal vapor produced, removal of the material
takes place by displacement of the melted material from the cut in the
opposite direction to the entry direction of the beam[...] "
http://216.239.35.100/search?q=cache:mggnhkv46wIC:www.ilr.com/archive/2001/09/0901fea4.html+%23+Laser+beam+sublimation+cuts&hl=en

Additionally, laser sublimation is used in surface treatment of
materials, often to harden them.  The October 1997 issue of Industrial
Laser Solutions for Manufacturing covers this in more detail, and is
viewable via the Google cache at:
http://216.239.35.100/search?q=cache:6YyOdzWFTq8C:www.ilr.com/archive/1997/10/1097news.html+%23+Laser+beam+sublimation+cuts&hl=en

Laser sublimation is also used in making etchings on plaques, often
for awards.  Many sites refer to using sublimation to embed colors or
inks in metal plaques.

I hope this has answered your question; if not, feel free to ask for
clarification.


Search terms used:
Laser beam sublimation cuts
"Laserstrahlsublimierschneiden"


Additional reading:
R. Mayerhofer, M. Hartmann, K. Schutte, and H.W. Bergmann,
"Feinstbearbeitung mit Kupferdampf" (Precision processing with copper
vapor), Laser Praxis, October 1996, LS40-LS42.

H. Rohde, "Bohren und Schneiden mit Mikrosekunden Lasern" (Drilling
and cutting with microsecond lasers) in Dausinger F., H¸gel H., Opower
H.: Proc. Stuttgarter Lasertage 1999, September 1999, 27-31.

Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing (website, access to trade
magazine)
http://ils.pennnet.com/home.cfm

Brilliant answer wengland! The refs you quote are also very interesting!