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Biophysics & Medical Physics

Medical Lasers

Laser devices engineered for surgical cutting, tissue coagulation, and photomedical treatments exploiting specific light-tissue absorption interactions.

Governing formula Selective Photothermolysis: Laser Pulse Duration ≤ Thermal Relaxation Time τ_r
SI unit W or J/cm² (Fluence)

In depth

Target chromophores (hemoglobin, melanin, water) selectively absorb specific laser wavelengths. CO₂ lasers (10.6 μm) are strongly absorbed by tissue water for surgical vaporizing; Argon lasers (514 nm) target vascular lesions.

Examples in the real world

Excimer UV lasers (193 nm) reshaping corneal curvature in LASIK refractive vision surgery.