Jerry W. Kuper

Medical Applications of Alexandrite Laser Systems

Alexandrite laser systems have several characteristics which are necessary for laser surgical applications. The relatively long Q-switched pulsewidths allow significant amounts of energy to be transmitted through optical fibers before the onset of fiber damage. The laser output wavelength in the fundamental (720 - 800 nm) and second harmonic (360 - 400 nm) are efficiently transmitted through commercially available fused silica fibers. The alexandrite laser may therefore be the optimal choice for numerous medical applications.

High-average-power, narrow band 248-nm alexandrite laser system

A compact line-narrowed 248 nm solid state laser source operating at 15 mJ 100 Hz PRF was demonstrated. Constraints due to thermal loading of components were addressed. Tradeoffs between pulse energy and repetition rate were investigated. A method for overcoming thermal dephasing in the THG material was achieved by scanning a slab shaped crystal.