LIGHTBURN - adding Z offset to cut through thicker material

What you can do is change your Z level so that rather than auto focusing onto the top of the 1/2" work piece, you more so bring the focal length to half way through your material. You can do this by bringing up your Z height a bit, or by doing a Z offset in Lightburn.

Here's how to do it in Lightburn:
Edit > Device settings

Z axis control > Enable Z axis

Click double click on the layer you want to modify (top right corner):

Click on Z offset:

Enter 0.25" in Z offset (half of material thickness):