Advancements in High-Power Infrared Lasers Could Enhance Surgical Precision

Recent advancements in laser technology have led to the development of high-power broadband tunable long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) femtosecond lasers. These lasers operate at fingerprint wavelengths ranging from 7 to 14 micrometers, which are significant for various applications including molecular hyperspectral imaging and resonant tissue ablation. A team of researchers, including Xuemei Yang and 16 co-authors, reported a new record output power of 2.4 watts at 7.5 micrometers and 1.5 watts at 9.5 micrometers, achieved through a 110-watt Yb:YAG amplifier that produces 274 femtosecond output pulses.

The study highlights a proof of concept demonstrating efficient resonant ablation and microstructure fabrication on enamel at the hydroxyapatite resonant wavelength of 9.5 micrometers. Notably, the laser intensity required for this process is two orders of magnitude lower than that needed by non-resonant femtosecond lasers. This reduction in intensity could enhance precision in surgical applications while improving biosafety. The findings suggest that these advanced lasers may pave the way for more refined surgical techniques and applications in medical fields.

For further details, the paper titled "Multi-watt long-wavelength infrared femtosecond lasers and resonant enamel ablation" can be accessed at arXiv:2408.13789.