Abstract

Continuous wave (cw) and repetitively pulsed (rp) hydrogen fluoride (HF) and deuterium fluoride (DE) chemical laser Interactions with cardiovascular tissues have been studied to analyze the intrinsic ablation performance of these materials and to measure their responses and properties In well- characterized laser Irradiation conditions. The optical absorption spectra of these tissues were also obtained in the 2500-400D-cm⁻¹ spectral region. Over 100 cw experiments were performed on normal and atherosclerotic tissues over a broad range of intensities (3-20 kW/cm²) to determine burn-through times, reflectances at HF and DF wavelengths, and front and back surface temperatures during irradiation.

© 1987 Optical Society of America