Laser Basic Science (M) Flashcards
What class of laser is considered safe under all conditions?
class 1
What type of light (UV, visible, infra red, etc) is produced by the Excimer ArF laser? 1. What type of damage does it cause? 2. What is it usually used for? 3
- UV
- photoablation
- LASIK, PRK
What happens when the exposure time is greater than the thermal relaxation time?
heat conducted to adjacent tissue
What are excited electrons with relatively long decay times? 1. What does this provide? 2
- metastable state
2. inc likelihood of being stimulated before spontaneous emission
What is a laser pointers MPE?
1mW
What happens when the exposure time is less than the thermal relaxation time?
no heat conducted to adjacent tissue
What is it called when photons from the laser are absorbed by ocular tissue molecules (pigment dependent) to destroy the tissue?
photothermal (photocoagulative)
What is the range of wavelengths absorbed by the retina?
400 to 1400nm
What defines a lasers wavelength?
laser medium
What does doubling the diameter of the laser spot do to the fluence or irradiance?
reduces by a factor of 4
Is a pulsed laser listed in watts or Joules?
Joules
What type of light (UV, visible, infra red, etc) is produced by the Nd YAG laser? 1. Is it Q switched or CW? 2. What is it usually used for? 3
- infra red
- can be either
- PI, capsulotomies
What are the three types of excitation mechanisms for lasers?
- electrical
- optical
- chemical
What type of light (UV, visible, infra red, etc) is produced by the CO2 laser? 1. What type of damage does it cause? 2
- infra red
2. photovaporization
Is a continuous wave laser listed in watts or Joules? 1. What are the different types? 2
- watts
2. Ar, Kr, HeNe, diode lasers, CO2
What class of laser is capable of hazardous exposure if used with an optical device?
class 1M and 2M
What is the temperature change that can lead to denaturation and coagulation during photocoagulation?
10 to 20degC
What class of laser may be hazardous under some direct and specular reflection viewing conditions but is not a fire hazard?
class 3 (3R needs focused eye, 3B does not)
What is the distance in which the irradiance of the beam is greater than the MPE?
Nominal hazard zone (NHZ)
What type of transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) do all the lasers we use have?
fundamental mode (single beam, TEM00)
What type of light (UV, visible, infra red, etc) is produced by the Intralase (femtosecond) diode pumped solid state (DPSS) laser? 1. What is it used for? 2
- infra red
2. LASIK, cataract surgery, corneal transplant
What is the range of wavelengths absorbed by the cornea?
180 to 315nm and over 1400nm
What does LASER stand for?
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
What is the maximum irradiance or radiant exposure that may be incident upon the eye without causing biological damage? 1. What is the buffer zone of this? 2
- maximum permissible exposure (MPE)
2. 1 log unit