Mid-IR Laser Applications in Medicine

Infrared (2–12 μm) solid-state laser sources: a review

“…The related laser emission coincides with O-H vibration in water and is thus strongly absorbed by biological tissues within less than a micrometer. This feature makes Er-based laser very attractive for medical applications such as laser surgery and ophthalmology [17].…”

“…In addition, CW 2-µm lasers have significant potential in laser welding of transparent plastic materials as well as laser surgery and therapy [17].…”

30 mJ, TEM00, high repetition rate, mechanically Q-switched Er:YAG laser operating at 2940 nm

“…Lasers operating at this wavelength range are desi− red and sought−after in many various fields of medicine [1].…”

Subnanosecond, mid-IR, 05 kHz periodically poled stoichiometric LiTaO_3 optical parametric oscillator with over 1 W average power

“…Subnanosecond coherent sources in the mid-IR spectral region (2.5–4 μm) that encompass high average power (>1 W) and high pulse energy (>1 mJ) with broad tunability are of fundamental interest for both scientific and industrial applications, e.g., remote sensing, molecular spectroscopy, and wide-ranging medical applications based on the high water absorption around 3 μm[1,2]. A simple and effective way for covering this spectral region is to utilize nonlinear frequency downconversion devices such as optical parametric oscillators (OPOs), pumped by well-established kilohertz- Q -switched micro-chip-based Nd-laser systems.…”