Physical characterization of ultrashort laser pulse drilling of biological tissue

Ultrashort laser pulse ablation removes material with low-energy fluence required and minimal collateral damage. The ultimate usefulness of this technology for biomedical application depends, in part, on characterization of the physical conditions attained, and determination of the zone of shockwave and heat-affected material in particular tissues. Detailed numerical modeling of the relevant physics (deposition, plasma formation, shockwave generation and propagation, thermal conduction) are providing this information. A wide range of time scales is involved, ranging from picosecond for energy deposition and peak pressure and temperature, to nanosecond for development of shockwave, to microsecond for macroscopic thermophysical response. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.