Laser Technology & Equipment Flashcards

Which laser wavelength is most specifically absorbed by oxyhemoglobin, making it ideal for treating vascular lesions?

Answer: 532 nm (KTP)

The 532 nm KTP laser wavelength corresponds to a peak absorption band of oxyhemoglobin, making it highly effective for vascular lesion treatments.

What does the term 'fluence' refer to in laser therapy?

Answer: Energy delivered per unit area (J/cm²)

Fluence, measured in J/cm², describes the energy density delivered to a target tissue and is a critical parameter for achieving therapeutic outcomes.

A diode laser used for hair removal most commonly operates at which wavelength range?

Answer: 800–810 nm

Diode lasers for hair removal typically emit at 800–810 nm, a wavelength with good melanin absorption and deeper dermal penetration than shorter wavelengths.

Which component of a laser system is responsible for providing the energy that excites the gain medium?

Answer: Pump source

The pump source (e.g., flashlamp or diode array) supplies energy to excite electrons in the gain medium to higher energy states necessary for lasing.

What is the primary purpose of a Q-switch in a laser system?

Answer: To produce very short, high-peak-power pulses

A Q-switch allows energy to build up in the gain medium and then releases it in an extremely brief, high-peak-power pulse ideal for tattoo and pigment removal.

Which type of optical fiber is most commonly used to deliver Nd:YAG laser energy in medical applications?

Answer: Silica step-index fiber

Silica step-index fibers efficiently transmit the 1064 nm Nd:YAG wavelength and are durable enough for clinical use.

If a laser has a pulse duration shorter than the thermal relaxation time of the target chromophore, the treatment principle applied is called:

Answer: Selective photothermolysis

Selective photothermolysis uses pulse durations shorter than the target's thermal relaxation time to confine heat damage to the chromophore while sparing surrounding tissue.