Applied physics

Femtosecond lasers have been used for Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap creation, lenticule incision, and other corneal surgeries. The cutting mechanism is provided by the plasma-induced micro-cavitation bubble (photo disruption). The fundamental limit for cutting precision and cutting quality is determined by two critical parameters: the laser pulsewidth and the laser focus spot size. Shorter pulsewidth and smaller focus spot will result in more precise dissection and less collateral tissue damage. The purpose of this talk is to present results from a novel next generation prototype refractive surgical device. The preliminary cutting results show that this novel technology has the potential to produce more precise and tissue-bridge free corneal incisions than any on market surgical device. In the second half of my talk I will discuss the potential of a hollow core photonic crystal fiber for femtosecond laser beam delivery & a viable option to femtosecond based handheld surgical devices.