Abstract

Recent investigations into laser sterilization have concentrated on using lower power lasers with photosensitizing materials, with applications in medicine and dentistry.^1,2 However, it is often inconvenient to coat materials prior to sterilization, and moreover, this technique is relatively slow. In the present case, a 400 W, pulsed, Nd:YAG laser is used to investigate high power laser sterilization. Experiments to establish effects of high power, Nd:YAG laser radiation on Bacillus stearothermophilus spore strips and Escherichia coli in vitro are presented, and the results indicate that these lasers offer a rapid and efficient method of sterilization.

© 1995 IEEE