Laser system and method and laser amplifier for use therewith

摘要

A laser system employs a laser amplifier doped with Neodymium ions having a planar input surface receiving a laser beam having a wavelength of 1.06 microns from a laser generator also employing a Neodymium doped crystal. The laser amplifier provides an output face axially aligned with the input face and having a diameter of approximately one-fifth of the input face diameter. Approximately eighty-eight percent of the axial length of the amplifier crystal is tapered to provide a continuously decreasing cross-section from a point near the input face to a point near the output face and forming a tapered spontaneous pumping zone of substantially reduced diameter adjacent the output face. A special retainer encloses the laser amplifier which directs output pulses from the output face through a bronchoscope to vaporize carbon and possibly other particles located on alveoli within a lung of a living mammal. X-ray producing particles may be introduced to the alveoli for subsequent vaporization by the amplified laser beam which is sensed to provide an output for diagnosis purposes.