Pulsed CO2 Laser Research Articles

Study of hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics of the products plume upon irradiation of a sapphire surface with a pulsed CO2-laser

This work presents the results of experimental study of hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics of a plume of suboxide AlO, produced by interaction of intensive irradiation of a pulsed CO2 laser with a target material. The space-time distributions of vibrational temperatures of AlO molecules were obtained.

Nonlinear transmission of CO2 laser radiation by graphene

The nonlinear transmission of multilayer (∼12 layers) graphene at the wavelength λ ∼ 10 μm is measured for the first time. The absorption saturation intensity in graphene (∼330 kWcm-2) and the ablation threshold of its outer layers (∼1 MW cm-2,0.11 J cm-2) under action of a CO2 laser pulse with a duration of 70 — 85 ns at λ = 10.55 μm are determined. The residual absorption of graphene at its partial saturation was 48 % of the initial value. This is significantly smaller than the value measured previously for samples with a close number of layers at λ = 1.55 μm (92.3 % — 93.8 %). It is shown that the ablation threshold of two graphene layers adjacent to the BaF2 substrate (after successive ablation of outer layers) exceeds 0.27 J cm-2.

Negative residual infrared photoconduction in the p-SiGe/Si heterostructures with selectively doped quantum wells

In the p-Si0.88Ge0.12/Si heterostructures with quantum wells delta-doped by boron, the decay kinetics of the lateral infrared photoconduction has been studied at low temperatures (15 to 50 K). Photoconduction was excited in the impurity spectral range by a CO2-laser pulse radiation. After switching off the light, both positive and negative residual photoconductions are observed. It is positive at low temperatures, but it changes to the negative one at T > 25 K. The higher the temperature and electric field are, the faster is the decay of the negative residual photoconduction. Qualitative explanation and quantitative description of the photoconduction relaxation take into account the competition between the recombination of free holes on the impurity levels and their thermal excitation from barrier traps into subbands of the quantum well. If the recombination time is much smaller than the excitation time from the traps, the negative residual photoconduction appears.

Formation of an optical pulsed discharge in a supersonic air flow by radiation of a repetitively pulsed CO2 laser

Results of optimisation of repetitively pulsed CO2-laser generation are presented for finding physical conditions of forming stable burning of an optical pulsed discharge (OPD) in a supersonic air flow and for studying the influence of pulse parameters on the energy absorption efficiency of laser radiation in plasma. The optical discharge in a supersonic air flow was formed by radiation of a repetitively pulsed CO2 laser with mechanical Q-switching excited by a discharge with a convective cooling of the working gas. For the first time the influence of radiation pulse parameters on the ignition conditions and stable burning of the OPD in a supersonic air flow was investigated and the efficiency of laser radiation absorption in plasma was studied. The influence of the air flow velocity on stability of plasma production was investigated. It was shown that stable burning of the OPD in a supersonic flow is realised at a high pulse repetition rate where the interval between radiation pulses is shorter than the time of plasma blowing-off. Study of the instantaneous value of the absorption coefficient shows that after a breakdown in a time lapse of 100 — 150 ns, a quasi-stationary 'absorption phase' is formed with the duration of ∼1.5 ms, which exists independently of air flow and radiation pulse repetition rate. This phase of strong absorption is, seemingly, related to evolution of the ionisation wave.

Letter regarding “Clinical and histologic effects from CO(2) laser treatment of keloids”

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article by Nicoletti et al. [1] entitled “Clinical and histologic effects from CO(2) laser treatment of keloids.” The authors introduce their experiences with high-energy pulsed CO2 laser for the treatment of earlobe keloids. Considering the consequences of keloids including cosmetic deformity and psychological trauma, complete cure without recurrence is one of the most important considerations to physicians as well as patients [2, 3]. As sessile-type keloids are not sharply demarcated and marginal recurrences of sessile-type keloids are not infrequent in the clinical practice, we suggested that pedunculated-type keloids be the best candidate for the treatment with laser [4]. The present study by Nicoletti et al. was differentiated from published literature which introduced laser treatment as an initial treatment regimen rather than adjuvant therapy [5, 6]. As CO2 laser treatment is considered as one of the surgical traumas, using this regimen as an adjuvant to surgical excision can be another major cause of keloid recurrence. In the third case shown in the article by Nicoletti et al., we are afraid that a successful outcome was not achieved despite improved Vancouver Scar Scale. Rather, we observed that the scar was somewhat elevated and extended beyond the original surgical field. In conclusion, to validate the authors’ treatment regimen, a prospective, multicenter, further study would be warranted.

Time evolution of the Infrared Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy of DNA bases Guanine and Adenine

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) of DNA bases Guanine and Adenine was studied using a high-power CO2 pulsed laser (λ=10.591 μm, τ FWHM=64 ns and fluences ranging from 25 to 70 J/cm2). The strong emission of the adenine and guanine plasma, collected using a high-resolution spectrometer, at medium-vacuum conditions (4 Pa) and at 1 mm from the target, exhibits excited molecular bands of CN (B2 Σ +–X2 Σ +) and excited neutral H and ionized N+ and C+. The medium-weak emission is due to excited species C2+, C3+, N, O, O+, O2+ and molecular band systems of $\mathrm{C}_{2}(\mathrm{d}^{3}\varPi_{\mathrm{g}}\mbox{--}\mathrm{a}^{3}\varPi_{\mathrm{u}};\ \mathrm{D}^{1}\varSigma_{\mathrm{u}}^{+}\mbox{--}\mathrm{X}^{1}\varSigma_{\mathrm{g}}^{+})$ , OH(A2 Σ +–X2 Π), NH(A3 Π–X3 Σ −), CH(A2 Π–X2 Π), $\mathrm{N}_{2}^{+}(\mathrm{B}^{2}\varSigma_{\mathrm{u}}^{+}\mbox{--} \mathrm{X}^{2}\varSigma_{\mathrm{g}}^{+})$ and N2(C3 Π u–B3 Π g). We focus our attention on the temporal evolution of different atomic/ionic and molecular species. The velocity distributions for various (different) species were obtained from time-of-flight (TOF) measurements. Intensities of some lines from C+ were used for determining electron temperature and their Stark-broadened profiles were employed to estimate the temporal evolution of electron density.

Clinical and histologic effects from CO2 laser treatment of keloids

Keloids and hypertrophic scars are abnormal responses to wound healing. In general, keloids exhibit a proliferative growth beyond the margins of the scar and remain persistent; while hypertrophic scars are contained to the original wound and may regress over time. In particular, keloid formation is one of the most challenging clinical problems, with increasing frequency in surgical practice. Many treatments are available such as intralesional corticosteroids, topical applications, cryotherapy, surgical excision, radiation therapy, silicone gel sheeting, pressure therapy, and laser therapy. There are no set guidelines for the treatment of keloids and the most common treatments are individualized and depended on the distribution, size, thickness, and consistency of lesions. The authors have evaluated carbon dioxide laser successfully in the treatment of keloids and the aim of this study was to determine the immediate and long-term histologic and clinical effects of keloids after carbon dioxide laser. Fifty consecutive patients (40 females, 10 males, ages 18-60 years, mean age 40 years) with moderate to severe keloids were evaluated. All the patients received regional treatments (deltoid, elbow, chin, and ear) in an outpatient setting with a high-energy pulsed CO2 laser. Significant immediate and prolonged clinical improvement in skin tone, texture, and appearance of carbon dioxide laser was examined in all patients. Dermal remodeling was observed also on histologic examination of biopsied tissue after treatment. Carbon dioxide laser appears to be effective and well tolerated for the treatment of keloids, avoiding the adverse effects and lengthy recovery time.

A study of Roman glass from Mala Barutana/Belgrade Fortress irradiated with pulsed CO2, Nd:YAG and ruby laser — Comparison

Application of non-contact and rapid laser technique, which is minimally invasive, non-contaminant and efficient method, for ancient glass investigation and cleaning is highly desirable for restoration purposes. Irradiation of Roman glass dated from 1st to 4th/5th century AD with TEA CO2 (wavelength 10.6μm; pulse duration tp=100ns), Nd:YAG (wavelength 1064nm and 532nm; tp=150ps) and ruby laser (wavelength 694nm; tp=30ns) in air ambience was studied. For all three lasers, moderate energy densities (15–30J/cm2) induced significant changes of morphology — from superficial exfoliation and occurrence of mosaic structure after few pulses to deep damages and hydrodynamic features after higher number of accumulated shots. Irradiation with moderate energy density, accompanied with plasma appearance in front of the samples, is convenient for numerous potential applications, particularly surface elemental analysis such as laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. On the other hand, lower densities are more suitable for Roman glass cleaning. Calculations of Roman glass surface temperature have shown that pulsed CO2 laser is favorable for surface cleaning and optimal fluence is ~2J/cm2. This was confirmed by additional experiments for fluences 1.5 and 3J/cm2. Morphological changes on the Roman glass surface induced by lasers were studied by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composition of Roman glass was determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method. Chemical analysis confirmed that the investigated glass dates from the Roman period.

97 Method of psychological and reflex treatment of locomotive disorders (stroke, humeroscapular periarthritis, hip arthrosis)

Hypertrophic burn scars remain a significant burden for patients and a challenge for clinicians.Assessement of the efficacy of combined Pulsed Dye Laser and Ablative Fractional CO2 Laser therapy on hyperthophic scars and correlation with plasma levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen.Twenty five pediatric subjects were enrolled into the study. Control group consisted of age-matched subjects admitted for surgical repair of inguinal hernia. For the assessment of the results of laser treatment we used the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), and Patient-Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). We also correlated clinical results with plasma levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen.All subjects reported the laser treatment resulted in improvement and were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with their experience. No adverse events were reported. The levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen in our patients with scars before laser threatment were higher in comparison to controls. We also found statistically significant decrease in the levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen after laser treatment of burn scarsOur study clearly shows that combined CO2-AFL treatment for burn scars improve texture, colour, function and alleviate pruritus. We believe that decrease in the levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen after laser treatment of burn scars, reflects reduced dynamic of scar.

92 Electrostimulation and laser therapy in postoperative recovery of cerebral glioma patients

Hypertrophic burn scars remain a significant burden for patients and a challenge for clinicians.Assessement of the efficacy of combined Pulsed Dye Laser and Ablative Fractional CO2 Laser therapy on hyperthophic scars and correlation with plasma levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen.Twenty five pediatric subjects were enrolled into the study. Control group consisted of age-matched subjects admitted for surgical repair of inguinal hernia. For the assessment of the results of laser treatment we used the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), and Patient-Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). We also correlated clinical results with plasma levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen.All subjects reported the laser treatment resulted in improvement and were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with their experience. No adverse events were reported. The levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen in our patients with scars before laser threatment were higher in comparison to controls. We also found statistically significant decrease in the levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen after laser treatment of burn scarsOur study clearly shows that combined CO2-AFL treatment for burn scars improve texture, colour, function and alleviate pruritus. We believe that decrease in the levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen after laser treatment of burn scars, reflects reduced dynamic of scar.

High power repetitive TEA CO2 pulsed laser

A high power repetitive spark-pin UV-preionized TEA CO2 laser system is presented. The discharge for generating laser pulses is controlled by a rotary spark switch and a high voltage pulsed trigger. Uniform glow discharge between two symmetrical Chang-electrodes is realized by using an auto-inversion circuit. A couple of high power axial-flow fans with the maximum wind speed of 80 m/s are used for gas exchange between the electrodes. At a repetitive operation, the maximum average output laser power of 10.4 kW 10.6 μm laser is obtained at 300 Hz, with an electro-optical conversion efficiency of 15.6%. At single pulsed operation, more pumping energy and higher gases pressures can be injected, and the maximum output laser energy of 53 J is achieved.

Treatment of acne scarring with fractional CO2 laser

Background: Fractional ablative CO2 laser therapy is based on the theory of fractional photothermolysis. It can be effective in treating acne scars in a less invasive fashion than conventional ablative CO2 laser therapy. Objective: In this clinical study, the safety and efficacy of a novel CO2 fractional ablative laser was investigated for the treatment of facial atrophic acne scarring in Chinese individuals. Materials and methods: A total of 31 patients (11 females, 20 males, Fitzpatrick skin phototypes III–IV) with facial acne scarring received three sequential fractional treatments over a 6-month period. Outcome measurements included blinded evaluations of before and after photographs by two physicians at 3 and 12 months after the final treatment. Global improvement was noted as well as any untoward events. Results: At the 12 months follow-up time period, 12.9% of the patients showed excellent improvement in their acne scars, while 38.71% noted good to fair results. The clinical response at the 12-month follow-up visit tended to be better than at the 3-month follow-up visit, but was not statistically significant. Four patients experienced post-treatment and transient PIH but three patients were noted to have prolonged erythema. There was no evidence hypopigmentation or worsening of the scarring in any of the study patients. Conclusion: This high-energy pulsed and cool-scanned fractional ablative CO2 laser system is safe and effective for facial atrophic acne scarring. Improvement in scarring was noted in the majority of patients with minimal discomfort and minimal downtime. Continued improvement over time is also an important clinical finding.

Fractional vaporization of tissue with an oscillatory array of high temperature rods – Part I: Ex vivo study

Background: Short pulse duration (∼0.1–5 milliseconds) CO2 lasers are perceived as excellent tools for vaporization of craters arrays in fractional skin resurfacing. Objectives: To present a thermo-mechanical ablation technology, which affects tissue identically to fractional CO2 lasers, however at a fraction of the size and cost of a laser. Material and methods: The new technology is based on heating an oscillating array of thin metallic rods to a temperature of 400°C and advancing the rods into tissue down to a precise pre-selected depth for a duration of 0.1–5 milliseconds. As a result, an array of crater is vaporized with identical properties of those produced by CO2 lasers. An ex vivo test was performed with a thermo- metallic rod array prototype. Results: Arrays of 10 × 10 vaporized micro-craters of 350 micron diameter, 200 micron depth have been produced with lateral thermal damage of 80 micron while thermal damage below craters was 80–250 micron. Conclusions: A resonating thermo-mechanical array of high temperature (350–400°C) rods is capable of producing an array of craters identical to those produced with pulsed CO2 lasers.

Design of high brightness laser-Compton source for extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray wavelengths

Design of a clean, high-brightness light source is presented for extreme ultraviolet/soft x-ray (EUV/SXR) lithography research and mask inspection. Basic characteristics of classical laser-Compton scattering are reviewed, and the laser and electron beam parameters at relatively low energy (EUV to SXR) photon generation are optimized. Recent achievements in each component technology are evaluated on a continuous wave (CW)-operated electron linac and energy recovery linac system, based on superconducting technologies at a 1.3 GHz operation frequency, 10 kW average power, short pulse CO2 laser, and optical super cavity with a 600- enhancement- factor at 10.6 μm wavelength. Combining both the CW electron beam and short pulse CO2 laser with super-cavity enhancement, 1 mW/2% ?startb.w.end? flux and 30 kW/mm2/sr/2% ?startb.w.end? brightness laser-Compton source is designed at 6.7-nm wavelength. The technological gap in the present component technologies are discussed, as well as any further required developments.

A stabilized pulsed repetition-rate CO2 laser for a laser-plasma generator of multiply charged ions

The design of a laser oscillator with a stabilized frequency composition and a stabilized intensity of output radiation is described. The oscillator’s basic component is a TEA CO2 module pumped by a self-maintained discharge and operating in a repetition-rate mode at a frequency of up to 3 Hz. A circuit for the formation of a self-maintained homogeneous discharge in the working volume of a CO2 + N2 + He mixture at atmospheric pressure is the basic component of the gas-discharge module. This circuit is based on the generation of a high-voltage pulse with a special profile, which provides high-reliability excitation of a discharge and pulse-to-pulse reproducibility of the discharge characteristics. The use of a hybrid circuit in the optical oscillator allows selection of a single longitudinal mode in the output radiation spectrum, thus eliminating undesirable interference phenomena, which lead to instability of the instantaneous values of the radiation intensity. During the development of the oscillator, the optimal operating parameters of the hybrid circuit were obtained, which ensure the high quality and reproducibility of the spatiotemporal and energy parameters of laser radiation.

Thermal detection thresholds of Aδ- and C-fibre afferents activated by brief CO2 laser pulses applied onto the human hairy skin.

Brief high-power laser pulses applied onto the hairy skin of the distal end of a limb generate a double sensation related to the activation of Aδ- and C-fibres, referred to as first and second pain. However, neurophysiological and behavioural responses related to the activation of C-fibres can be studied reliably only if the concomitant activation of Aδ-fibres is avoided. Here, using a novel CO2 laser stimulator able to deliver constant-temperature heat pulses through a feedback regulation of laser power by an online measurement of skin temperature at target site, combined with an adaptive staircase algorithm using reaction-time to distinguish between responses triggered by Aδ- and C-fibre input, we show that it is possible to estimate robustly and independently the thermal detection thresholds of Aδ-fibres (46.9±1.7°C) and C-fibres (39.8±1.7°C). Furthermore, we show that both thresholds are dependent on the skin temperature preceding and/or surrounding the test stimulus, indicating that the Aδ- and C-fibre afferents triggering the behavioural responses to brief laser pulses behave, at least partially, as detectors of a change in skin temperature rather than as pure level detectors. Most importantly, our results show that the difference in threshold between Aδ- and C-fibre afferents activated by brief laser pulses can be exploited to activate C-fibres selectively and reliably, provided that the rise in skin temperature generated by the laser stimulator is well-controlled. Our approach could constitute a tool to explore, in humans, the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in processing C- and Aδ-fibre input, respectively.

OFS research over the last 10 years at CQU & UESTC

This article reviews my new optical fiber sensing (OFS) research activities in China for the last ten years at Chongqing University and University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, since I returned from UK in 1999. The research progress in long period fiber gratings (LPFGs), distributed fiber sensing systems and microfiber sensors is introduced. For LPFGs, the processing method with high-frequency CO2 laser pulses types of LPFGs fabricated and the related applications for both optical sensing and optical communication are described. For distributed fiber sensing systems, the fiber-optic polarization optical time domain reflectometer (POTDR), fiber-optic phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometer (Φ-OTDR) and Brillouin optical time-domain analyzer (BOTDA) are developed, respectively. For microfiber sensors, we mainly focus on the knot resonator and its application for sensing of the refractive index and acceleration, etc.

Role of dual-laser ablation in controlling the Pb depletion in epitaxial growth of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 thin films with enhanced surface quality and ferroelectric properties

Pb depletion in Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT) thin films has remained as a major setback in the growth of defect-free PZT thin films by pulsed laser ablation techniques. At low excimer (KrF) laser fluences, the high volatility of Pb in PZT leads to non-congruent target ablation and, consequently, non-stoichiometric films, whereas, at high laser fluences, the inherent ejection of molten droplets from the target leads to particulate laden films, which is undesirable in heterostructure growth. To overcome these issues, a dual-laser ablation (PLDDL) process that combines an excimer (KrF) laser and CO2 laser pulses was used to grow epitaxial PZT films on SrTiO3 (100) and MgO (100) substrates. Intensified-charge-coupled-detector (ICCD) images and optical emission spectroscopy of the laser-ablated plumes in PLDDL revealed a broader angular expansion and enhanced excitation of the ablated species as compared to those for single-laser ablation (PLDSL). This led to the growth of particulate-free PZT films with higher Pb content, better crystallinity, and lower surface roughness as compared to those deposited using PLDSL. For FE measurements, PZT capacitors were fabricated in situ using the latticed-matched metallic oxide, La0.7Sr0.3MnO3, as the top and bottom electrodes. PZT films deposited using PLDDL exhibited enhanced polarization for all driving voltages as compared to those deposited using PLDSL. A highest remanent polarization (Pr) of ∼91 μC/cm2 and low coercive field of ∼40 kV/cm was recorded at 9 V driving voltage. Fatigue characterization revealed that PZT films deposited using PLDDL showed unchanging polarization, even after 109 switching cycles.

Two‐channel fiber microcavity strain sensor based on fiber loop ring‐down spectroscopy technology

AbstractIn this article, a two‐channel fiber microcavity strain sensor based on fiber loop ring‐down spectroscopy technology is proposed and implemented. This fiber loop ring‐down strain sensor uses time division multiplexing technique, which involves two fiber loops. These two fiber‐loop resonators share a same pulsed laser source and a same photodetector. The microcavity is directly inscribed in a segment of 1060 nm single mode fiber through high‐frequency CO2 laser pulses illumination. As a sensor unit, the two fiber microcavities accessible to the fiber‐loop resonators are pasted onto the upper and lower surface of a cantilever beam to realize the strain sensing by measuring the ring‐down time of the pulse laser. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1305–1309, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26800

High power 4.65 μm single-wavelength laser by second-harmonic generation of pulsed TEA CO2 laser in AgGaSe2 and ZnGeP2

A high power 4.65 μm single-wavelength laser by second-harmonic generation (SHG) of TEA CO2 laser pulses in silver gallium selenide (AgGaSe2) and zinc germanium phosphide (ZnGeP2) crystals is reported. Experimental results show that the average output power of SHG laser is not only restricted by the damage threshold of the nonlinear crystals, but also limited by the irradiated power of fundamental-wave laser depending on the operating repetition-rate. It is found that ZnGeP2 can withstand higher 9.3 μm laser irradiation intensity than AgGaSe2. As a result, using a parallel array stacked by seven ZnGeP2 crystals, an average power of 20.3 W 4.65 μm laser is obtained at 250 Hz. To the best of our knowledge, it is the highest output power for SHG of CO2 laser by far.