Abstract

Lasers are capable of cutting with a spatial resolution at the fundamental limit for surgery — the single cell. However, the process involves ablation with resulting thermal and shock wave induced damage that extends well beyond the ablation zone. We recently reported on a new mechanism for laser induced ablation using strongly absorbed infrared pulses durations specifically tuned to IR active vibrations to drive ablation faster than thermal and acoustic transport induced damage, but long enough to avoid the ionizing radiation effects of plasma formation [1,2]. This lecture will give a current over view of the status of this development.

© 2011 Optical Society of America