[EE] Decapsulating 555s using a laser

I thought this was an interesting video, there are also other shorter
ones from different people on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhZEi7bOAjY

This is probably a pretty obvious idea given that the ICs are now
marked with lasers, but I never thought of it.

I wouldn't have had the chip power on while the laser is on but it's
certainly cinematic :)

I would have done the 2nd chip the opposite way, use high power at the
start and then down shift the laser to lower power at the end.

It sure does beat using a Dremel tool to dig a hole and then using red
fuming nitric acid (after heating with a hot plate) to decapsulate an
IC.

Best Regards,
Chuck, WB9KZY