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Title: Laser-diode-pumped, erbium-doped, solid-state laser with high slope efficiency

Abstract

A laser and method for producing a laser emission at a wavelength of substantially 2.8 microns is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the laser comprises laser diode means for emitting a pump beam at a preselected wavelength; and a crystal having a preselected host material doped with a predetermined percent concentration of erbium activator ions sufficient to produce a laser emission at substantially 2.8 microns at a slope efficiency of at least 5 percent, but preferrably 10 percent, when the crystal is pumped by the pump beam. It is well known that the human body is comprised of approximately 70% water, with various human tissues containing about 60% to 90% of water, and bone and cartilage containing about 30% to 40% of water. Since the 2.8 micron wavelength has a substantially maximum absorption in water, this 2.8 micron wavelength is the ideal wavelength to use for a large variety of medical laser applications on the human body. A 2.8 micron wavelength laser could be used for precise surgery in such exemplary applications as brain surgery, neurosurgery, eye surgery, plastic surgery, burn treatment and the removal of malignancies.

Inventors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Department of the Navy, Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
6970606
Patent Number(s):
A US 7-429426
Assignee:
Department of the Navy, Washington, DC (US)
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: This Government-owned invention available for U.S. licensing and, possibly, for foreign licensing. Copy of application available NTIS
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; SOLID STATE LASERS; DESIGN; USES; ABSORPTION; BRAIN; CARTILAGE; DOPED MATERIALS; EFFICIENCY; EMISSION; ERBIUM; HUMAN POPULATIONS; INFRARED RADIATION; IONS; MATERIALS; MEDICINE; NEOPLASMS; NERVOUS SYSTEM; OPTICAL PUMPING; PLASTIC SURGERY; REMOVAL; SURGERY; ANIMAL TISSUES; BODY; CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM; CHARGED PARTICLES; CONNECTIVE TISSUE; DISEASES; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; ELEMENTS; LASERS; METALS; ORGANS; POPULATIONS; PUMPING; RADIATIONS; RARE EARTHS; TISSUES; 426002* - Engineering- Lasers & Masers- (1990-)

Citation Formats

Esterowitz, L, Allen, R, and Kintz, G. Laser-diode-pumped, erbium-doped, solid-state laser with high slope efficiency. United States: N. p., 1989. Web.
Esterowitz, L, Allen, R, & Kintz, G. Laser-diode-pumped, erbium-doped, solid-state laser with high slope efficiency. United States.
Esterowitz, L, Allen, R, and Kintz, G. 1989. "Laser-diode-pumped, erbium-doped, solid-state laser with high slope efficiency". United States.
@article{osti_6970606,
title = {Laser-diode-pumped, erbium-doped, solid-state laser with high slope efficiency},
author = {Esterowitz, L and Allen, R and Kintz, G},
abstractNote = {A laser and method for producing a laser emission at a wavelength of substantially 2.8 microns is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the laser comprises laser diode means for emitting a pump beam at a preselected wavelength; and a crystal having a preselected host material doped with a predetermined percent concentration of erbium activator ions sufficient to produce a laser emission at substantially 2.8 microns at a slope efficiency of at least 5 percent, but preferrably 10 percent, when the crystal is pumped by the pump beam. It is well known that the human body is comprised of approximately 70% water, with various human tissues containing about 60% to 90% of water, and bone and cartilage containing about 30% to 40% of water. Since the 2.8 micron wavelength has a substantially maximum absorption in water, this 2.8 micron wavelength is the ideal wavelength to use for a large variety of medical laser applications on the human body. A 2.8 micron wavelength laser could be used for precise surgery in such exemplary applications as brain surgery, neurosurgery, eye surgery, plastic surgery, burn treatment and the removal of malignancies.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6970606}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 31 00:00:00 EST 1989},
month = {Tue Oct 31 00:00:00 EST 1989}
}