The effect of laser wavelength in the simulation of laser generated surface waves in human skin model

A finite element (FE) simulation of the thermoelastic laser generated surface waves in a 3-layered model of human skin is presented. Commercial finite element code ANSYS is used to study the effects of changing laser wavelength and hence the optical absorption has on the generated surface waves. The FE model consists of a thermal analysis with a volumetric heat generation boundary condition to simulate the thermal effect of the laser source penetrating into the skin. The results from the thermal analysis are then subsequently applied as a load in a mechanical analysis where the out-of plane displacement histories and temperature fields are analysed using two different laser sources to generate the ultrasonic waves.