ND DOPED CRYSTALS FOR MEDICAL LASER APPLICATIONS

Some secondary laser lines of the Nd3+ ion in crystals like YAG and YA P are now being used or re-examined very seriously for several purpose s. So, after a brief description of the main parameters characterizing the general optical and thermomechanical properties of these 'well-kn own' materials, a discussion is developed here concerning the interest of these particular lines for specific medical applications and a com parison is made with other existing solutions. Then, the operational c haracteristics (laser performance, thermal behaviour) and the effects (laser-tissue effects) of some of the laser systems we have studied fo r these applications, already commercially available systems as well a s prototypes, are presented. In the end, the potential of Nd:KGW, anot her emerging Nd doped laser material, is analysed. (C) 1997 Elsevier S cience B.V.