Sec.

8-1 Lasers and Interaction 181

TABLE 8-2 LASER TYPES IN MEDICINE

Laser type Wavelength Power levels Uses

-- J
Excimer 193 n m (ultraviolet; invisible) Pulsed, = I Jlcm2 with Cutting, incising,
Argon fluoride 248 n m (ultraviolet; invisible) pulsewidth or about ablative
Krypton fluoride 10 ns (= 108 Wlcm2) photodecomposition
(ophthalmology,
cardiology, and
arthroscopy)

Argon-ion 488 n m (blue-green; yisible) Continuous; up to 10 W Photocoagulation,

welding,
vaporization
(dennatology,
ophthalmology,
geneml surgery)

Tunable dye 631 n m (red; visible) Continuous; 3-4 W Photoactivation

(pumped with (treatment or tumo~)
an argon-ion
laser)

Nd:YAG .06 Jlm (infrared; visible) Conlinuous; up lo Photocoagulation,

maximum of vaporization,
60-100 W perforation
(ophthalmology,
gastroenterology,
dermatology,
urology, and
tumors)

Carbon dioxide 10.6 /lm (infrared; visible) Continuous; up to 80 W Tissue vaporization,

(CO2) incision, excision
(dennatology,
gynecology,
gastroenterology,
and neurosurgery)

invisible laser energy in the deep ultraviolet. The Nd : y AG and CO2 lasers ernit laser
 Sec.8-1 Lasers and Interaction 183

TABlE 8-3 MEDICAL FIELDS INVOLVED WITH LASERS

Cun'ent fields of practice

Ophthalmology eyes
Gynecology female reproductive organs
Dennatology skin
Cardiology heart and blood vessels
Gastroenterology intestines
Oncology tumors/cel1s

Future fields of practice

Neurosurgery nerves
Otolaryngology ears and throat
Podiatry feet
Urology urinary tract
Dentistry teeth

scientists sought to emulate the sun's mechanism of producing enerQv T hp fi,~;n'.'

~('tjnn hn"'0.,~- "
 Sec.8-1 Lasers and Interaction 177

Materials processing Communication

Cutting ,
InfornlatioR processing
Welding Optical sensing
'Drilling Optical ranging
Heat freating Optical storage
Medicai Printers and copiers
Marking and scribing Metrology
Microfabrication Holography
Laser spectroscopy Alignment
Laser-driven energy Point-of-sale scanners
Weaponry Entertainment and display