Ultrashort laser pulse effects in ocular and related media

Relatively little experimental and theoretical data exist on the retinal hazards of ultrashort laser pulses operating in the visible and near infrared spectral regions. Because of potential nonlinear effects that can occur from high-peak irradiance, ultrashort laser pulses propagate from the cornea to the retina, we have developed four projects within our Ultrashort Pulse Effects program. First, we discuss preliminary ED50 threshold values for nanosecond (ns), picosecond (ps), and femtosecond (fs) single pulses for in-vivo ocular exposures in Dutch Belted Rabbits using pulses in the visible spectral region. Then we examine two experiments that study nonlinear absorption using water tubes and measure the nonlinear refractive index of ocular tissue using the Z-Scan technique. Finally, we determine laser-induced breakdown thresholds in ultrahigh purity water. These studies give reasonable estimates of the damage thresholds and insight into the biophysics of how ultrashort pulses interact with ocular media.