Laserthermia: a computer-controlled contact Nd:YAG system for interstitial local hyperthermia

Contact Nd:YAG laser surgery is assuming a role of greater importance in endoscopic and open surgery, allowing coagulation, cutting, and vaporization with greater precision and safety. A synthetic sapphire probe allows a wider angle of irradiation and diffusion of low power laser energy (less than 5 W) using an interstitial technique for producing local hyperthermia. Sensors placed directly into surrounding tissue or tumor continuously monitor temperature, and a pertinent computer program produces a controlled and stable temperature (e.g., 42 degrees C) over a period of time (e.g., 20-40 min). The Laserthermia system (Surgical Laser Technologies, Inc., Malvern, PA), using the Nd:YAG laser, offers many advantages in the experimental and clinical treatment of carcinoma by local interstitial hyperthermia.     

Measuring solid-state quantum yields: The conversion of a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG diode laser pointer module into a viable light source

This article outlines the difficulties associated with measuring quantum yields for solid-state samples using a high-pressure mercury arc lamp as the irradiation source. Details are given for the conversion of an inexpensive frequency-doubled neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) diode laser pointer module into a viable irradiation source. The modified Nd:YAG laser was incorporated into a computer-controlled system, which allowed for the simultaneous irradiation and spectroscopic monitoring of the sample. The data obtained with the Nd:YAG diode laser system show far less scatter than data obtained with a high-pressure Hg arc lamp, and consequently the degradation rates obtained with the laser system could be calculated with far greater accuracy.     

Pulse-burst laser systems for fast Thomson scattering (invited)

Two standard commercial flashlamp-pumped Nd:YAG (YAG denotes yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers have been upgraded to "pulse-burst" capability. Each laser produces a burst of up to 15 2 J Q-switched pulses (1064 nm) at repetition rates of 1-12.5 kHz. Variable pulse-width drive (0.15-0.39 ms) of the flashlamps is accomplished by insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) switching of electrolytic capacitor banks. Direct control of the laser Pockels cell drive enables optimal pulse energy extraction, and up to four 2 J laser pulses during one flashlamp pulse. These lasers are used in the Thomson scattering plasma diagnostic system on the MST reversed-field pinch to record the dynamic evolution of the electron temperature profile and temperature fluctuations. To further these investigations, a custom pulse-burst laser system with a maximum pulse repetition rate of 250 kHz is now being commissioned.     

Upgraded multipulse laser and multipoint Thomson scattering diagnostics on EAST

Recently a new Thomson scattering diagnostic system was upgraded in EAST tokamak experiment using a multipulse Nd:YAG (neodymium-yttrium aluminium garnet) laser and a multipoint observation volumes. This diagnostic uses a new optical laser alignment technique that was made to determine accurately the laser position, and a new lens collection system that enables the measurement of wider plasma's object. A composite control system made we can get the results in several seconds. Furthermore, a new data processing method was adopted for much exact results.     

Wavelength optimization for machining metals with the harmonic generations of a short pulsed Nd:YAG laser

The wavelength conversion for a short pulsed Nd:YAG laser has been implemented from infrared to visible and to ultraviolet spectra by using nonlinear optical crystals. The analytical method of wavelength optimization for machining metals with various harmonic generations of a Nd:YAG laser is presented in this paper. Combining the absorptivity of metal and the conversion efficiency of laser apparatus, the absorption efficiency is proposed to select an optimum machining wavelength. Various metals have different optimum machining wavelengths. The optimum machining wavelengths for gold, silver, and copper are in the third-, fourth- and second-harmonic generations of a Nd:YAG laser, respectively. For other metals, such as nickel, their optimum machining wavelengths are all in the fundamental wavelength of a Nd:YAG laser.     

激光熔覆金属基固体自润滑涂层的组织结构

铝合金板料的温成形过程中，为解决模具和铝合金板间的高温润滑问题，开发一种高效、环保的润滑技术非常重要。以Ni45-CaF2-WS2为复合固体润滑材料，分别采用Nd：YAG与CO2激光熔覆技术制备了金属基固体润滑涂层，研究了两种激光熔覆层的组织结构，并分析了两种涂层的组织结构形成机理。结果表明，CO2激光器较Nd：YAG激光器更适合该类涂层的制备。     

Modeling and optimization of Nd:YAG laser micro-weld process using Taguchi Method and a neural network

The use of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser in the 0.1 mm- thick aluminum alloy lap micro-weld process was optimized. The welding parameters that influence the quality of the pulsed Nd:YAG laser lap micro-weld were evaluated by measuring of the tensile-shear strength. In this work, the Taguchi method was adopted to perform the initial optimization of the pulsed Nd:YAG laser micro-weld process parameters. A neural network with a Levenberg-Marquardt back-propagation (LMBP) algorithm was then adopted to develop the relationships between the welding process parameters and the tensile-shear strength of each weldment. The optimal parameters of the pulsed Nd:YAG laser micro-weld process were determined by simulating parameters using a well-trained back-propagation neural network model. Experimental results illustrate the proposed approach.     

聚晶金刚石的Nd:YAG激光切割与电火花线切割损伤分析

采用近红外Nd:YAG激光切割方法与电火花线切割方法进行了聚晶金刚石(polycrystalline diamond compacts,PDC)切割加工实验,并分别利用细砂纸打磨、金刚石微粉抛光以及王水腐蚀等表面处理方法对试件进行了表面处理,通过扫描电镜显微观察与拉曼光谱分析等方法对试件进行了显微观察与分析。经分析发现:尽管近红外Nd:YAG激光切割速度较快,然而因脉宽较大导致热损伤大,加工表面存在明显的残留层,而且金刚石与硬质合金层界面存在明显的裂纹;电火花线切割表面质量好于激光切割加工,但金刚石界面处存在材料过量去除现象,而且切割速度比近红外激光切割加工小得多。为获得较好的PDC切割质量与切割效率,需采用脉宽更短的Nd:YAG激光或紫外激光。     

脉冲激光眼科治疗仪控制器设计

文章介绍了医用眼科激光治疗仪控制器的设计。采用半导体泵浦Nd:YAG激光器,激光器有脉冲、连续两种工作方式。工作于脉冲方式时,单片机定时器产生脉冲控制激光器的工作频率;控制器使用数模转换器产生电压信号,驱动功率控制模块来控制激光器的功率;使用彩色触控液晶模组设计人机界面,通过触控屏来选择工作方式和设置工作参数;对关键电路进行了分析说明,给出了程序设计流程图。     

Predictive model and process parameters optimization of Nd:YAG laser micro-turning of ceramics

The present work highlights laser micro-turning operation of 10-mm diameter cylindrical-shaped alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramic using pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The paper also addresses development of mathematical models for correlating the various micro-machining parameters such as laser beam average power, pulse frequency, workpiece rotational speed, assist air pressure, and Y feed rate with the response criteria such as surface roughness and deviation in turned depth for achieving desired surface quality as well as dimensional accuracy during micro-turning operation using Nd:YAG laser system. Response surface methodology-based design of experiments has been adopted for the experimentation. This investigation also highlights the various test results that confirm the validity and correctiveness of the developed mathematical models through analysis of variance test. The test results were analyzed through various response surface plots to study the effect of the process parameters on the aforementioned responses. The results of validation experimentation show a good agreement for the developed empirical models. Sensitivity analyses of the developed models have been done to find out the variation in the output with respect to variations in the significant input process parameters. Moreover, multi-performance optimization has been done to find out the optimal parametric setting for achieving the desired process performances. Analysis also has been made based on scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the laser micro-turned surface achieved during machining at multi-criteria optimization setting.     

Effects of Nd:YAG Laser Surface Treatment on Tribological Properties of Cold-Sprayed Ti-6Al-4V Coatings Tested against 100Cr6 Steel under Dry Condition

The surfaces of cold-sprayed Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) coatings were laser irradiated with different laser powers of 50–200 W to study the effects of Nd:YAG laser surface treatment on their tribological properties. The hardness of the laser-treated Ti64 coatings became higher with higher laser power due to the more rapid cooling caused by a larger temperature difference between the coating temperature and room temperature. The wear of the laser-treated Ti64 coatings tested against 6-mm 100Cr6 steel balls under dry condition at room temperature decreased with increased laser power as a result of their increased surface wear resistance associated with their increased surface hardness. It could be concluded that the laser surface treatment of the cold-sprayed Ti64 coatings improved their surface wear resistance compared to that of the untreated Ti64 coatings.     

In vitro assessment of laser efficiency for caries prevention in pits and fissures

This study aimed to assess the in vitro efficacy of the lasers Er:YAG, Nd:YAG, and CO(2) operating in the low energy mode for caries prevention in pits and fissures. Forty-five caries-free enamel occlusal sections were randomly divided into three groups: G1 - Er:YAG (80 mJ/2 Hz); G2 - Nd:YAG Laser (1 W and 10 Hz); and G3 - CO(2) Laser (0.4 W and 20 Hz). After surface treatment, the samples were submitted to challenge with acid consisting of a 10-day immersion in demineralizing (6 h) and remineralizing solution (18 h). Next, enamel demineralization was quantitatively evaluated by subsurface microhardness test and polarized-light microscopy (PLM, mm(2)) and qualitatively assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The Wilcoxon test was used for comparison of each group with its own control. ANOVA (α = 5%) was employed for comparison among groups, and Fisher's LSD multiple comparison test was applied, to check the difference in means. Concerning the microhardness analyses, statistical difference between control, and experimental areas was only detected for the CO(2) group. Experimental values were higher than the controls. As for PLM analyses, smaller demineralized areas were measured for G2 (Nd:YAG) and G3 (CO(2)) compared with the control areas. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that the CO(2) laser should be selected in order to increase the enamel resistance to acid in pits and fissures.     

激光二极管阵列侧泵浦Nd:YAG板条热效应的研究

为了解决激光二极管阵列侧面泵浦激光板条引起的热效应问题,对于激光板条温度模式分布进行了研究。通过激光板条工作特点分析,建立了符合实际情况的热模型。基于热传导理论,建构了Poisson方程新的求解方法,得出了侧泵板条温度场与热形变场的一般解析表达式。该解析方法不仅解决了将板条内部热流线径向假设造成的温场计算误差问题,而且解决了数值分析方法带来的计算精度不高的问题。研究结果表明：使用输出功率为30W的激光二极管阵列侧面泵浦Nd:YAG板条,考虑耦合到板条侧面的高斯光斑半径为150μm、板条钕离子掺杂质量分数为1.0at.%,板条泵浦面具有102.3 oC的最高温升,泵浦面与通光端面同时发生1.54μm和2.66μm的最大热形变。并定量研究了激光二极管阵列不同泵浦功率以及不同泵浦光斑下Nd:YAG板条温度场的分布情况。研究结果可以用于侧泵板条激光器谐振腔的设计之中,为减小激光系统的热效应提供了理论依据。     

LD泵浦腔内倍频Nd:YAG/LBO蓝光473nm激光器的低噪声运转

激光二极管（LD）泵浦腔内倍频Nd:YAG/LBO蓝光473nm激光器在不加入腔内特殊元件的情况下,往往倍频输出功率具有很大的高频噪声,即所谓的“蓝光问题”！这大大限制了473nm蓝色激光的应用！为了降低该激光器件倍频输出功率的高频噪声,采用了通过提高腔内基频光循环强度和缩短激光晶体以减小准三能级激光系统再吸收损耗的方法来实现473nm激光器的低噪声运转！实验中利用两个2W激光二极管耦合作为泵浦源及1.0mm厚的Nd:YAG材料作为激光晶体,在利用10mm长LBO材料作为倍频晶体的情况下,获得了输出功率为195mW的具有低噪声特性的473nm蓝光激光运转！实验结果表明：倍频输出功率（峰－峰值）/平均值小于1%！激光输出在1h内没有发生激光跳变现象发生并且无需腔内其它元件的引入。     

激光虹膜切除术治疗原发性闭角型青光眼

观察单独用 Nd∶ YAG激光及联合应用氪激光和 Nd∶ YAG激光虹膜切除术治疗原发性闭角型青光眼的疗效。根据患者虹膜情况选择不同的激光手术方式 ,取得良好效果。联合术式效果比较理想 ,适合中国人的虹膜特点 ,术后并发症较单独术式低     

Changes in nail keratin observed by Raman spectroscopy after Nd:YAG laser treatment

Lasers and photodynamic therapy have been considered a convergence treatment for onychomycosis, which is a fungal infection on the nail bed and nail plate. Laser therapies have shown satisfactory results without significant complications for onychomycosis; however, the mechanism of clearing remains unknown. In this work, we investigated changes in the chemical structure of nail keratin induced by Nd:YAG laser using Raman spectroscopy. Toe nails with onychomycosis were treated with 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. After laser treatment, the disulfide band (490–590 cm^?1) of nail keratin was rarely observed or was reduced in intensity. The amide I band (1500–1700 cm^?1) also showed changes induced by the laser. The α‐helical (1652 cm^?1) structures dominated the β‐sheet (1673 cm^?1) in nontreated nail, but the opposite phenomenon was observed after laser treatment.     

Design of a new high repetition rate Nd:YAG Thomson scattering system for Heliotron J

A new high repetition rate Nd:YAG Thomson scattering system has been designed for the Heliotron J helical device. The main purpose of installing the new Thomson scattering system is an investigation of an improved confinement physics such as the edge transport barrier (H-mode) or the internal transport barrier of the helical plasma. The system has 25 spatial points with ～10?mm resolution. Two high repetition Nd:YAG lasers (>550?mJ?at?50?Hz) realize the measurement of the time evolution of the plasma profile with 10 ms time interval. Scattered light is collected with a large concave mirror (D=800?mm,?f/2.25) with a solid angle of ～100?msr. The laser beam is injected from obliquely downward to upward, and obliquely backscattered light is detected (scattering angle is 20°). Model simulation of the polychromator shows the measurable electron temperature and density range are from 10 eV to 10 keV, >5×10(18)?m(-3) within 3% error for the temperature measurement, respectively.     

长脉宽脉冲激光硅片弯曲成形试验

利用毫秒脉宽Nd:YAG激光对硅片进行了弯曲试验,给出了长脉宽脉冲激光弯曲硅片的能量阈值条件。研究了长脉宽Nd:YAG激光脉冲频率和脉冲宽度参数对硅片弯曲角度的影响,同时说明了脉冲频率和脉冲宽度参数对弯曲角度的影响可以转换成扫描速度和功率密度对弯曲角度的影响,并对试验结果进行了分析,引入了脉冲占空比来表征能量的时域分布对弯曲现象的影响。试验结果表明,采用毫秒量级脉冲激光可以对硅片进行弯曲加工,弯曲角度可达20°以上。     

Initial operation of a pulse-burst laser system for high-repetition-rate Thomson scattering

A pulse-burst laser has been installed for Thomson scattering measurements on the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed-field pinch. The laser design is a master-oscillator power-amplifier. The master oscillator is a commercial Nd:YVO(4) laser (1064 nm) which is capable of Q-switching at frequencies between 5 and 250 kHz. Four Nd:YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) amplifier stages are in place to amplify the Nd:YVO(4) emission. Single pulses through the Nd:YAG amplifier stages gives energies up to 1.5 J and the gain for each stage has been measured. Repetitive pulsing at 10 kHz has also been performed for 2 ms bursts, giving average pulse energies of 0.53 J with ΔE/E of 4.6%, where ΔE is the standard deviation between pulses. The next step will be to add one of two Nd:glass (silicate) amplifier stages to produce final pulse energies of 1-2 J for bursts up to 250 kHz.