A qualitative analysis of nonorthogonal CO(2) laserbeam delivery

Recent studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of nonorthogonal beam delivery on the geometry of the craters formed by laser beams in biological media. The final results, obtained with samples of the quasi-biological solid methacrylate Vedril C, clearly show that major alterations to the classical cone-shaped crater do occur. The results of these first investigations are presented here together with a qualitative discussion of the possible causes of this phenomenon. It is concluded that curved craters should also be expected in vivo.