KEYWORDS: Scattering, Quantum efficiency, Light sources and illumination, Monte Carlo methods, Systems modeling, Absorption, Semiconductor lasers, Laser systems engineering, Optical simulations, Thermal effects
A new family of lighting products is developed as laser diodes replace LEDs in the remote phosphor configuration. The resulting lighting systems, also known as laser-excited remote phosphor systems, exhibit advanced characteristics compared to LEDs, such as significantly higher luminance and smaller étendue. However, the bottleneck in their performance is often considered to be the conversion process within the phosphor layer. The high-intensity exciting laser beam in combination with the low thermal conductivity of ceramic phosphor materials leads to thermal quenching, a phenomenon in which the emission efficiency decreases as the temperature rises. In order to investigate the thermal limitations and derive the optimization parameters for these systems, the simulation strategy proposed here effectively takes into account the interplay between the thermal and optical effects. The time-dependent heat equation is solved based on the system’s energy balance equation, while the optical effects are modeled within the geometrical optics regime using a ray tracing algorithm. The coupling is achieved considering the temperature-dependent quantum yield (or efficiency) for the phosphor material. For simulation purposes the phosphor material can be considered as a bulk diffuser; the bulk scattering properties are introduced: the absorption and scattering coefficients as well as the scattering (or phase) function. The two-term Henyey-Greenstein function is adopted as scattering function here, since it combines computational efficiency and accuracy. To conclude, an opto-thermal simulation scheme is required for the optimization of a phosphor-converted lighting source. Efficient device design can contribute to the advancement of green lighting technology, a step towards meeting the environmental challenges of our age.
The development of laser-based lighting systems has been the latest step towards a revolution in illumination technology
brought about by solid-state lighting. Laser-activated remote phosphor systems produce white light sources with
significantly higher luminance than LEDs. The weak point of such systems is often considered to be the conversion
element. The high-intensity exciting laser beam in combination with the limited thermal conductivity of ceramic
phosphor materials leads to thermal quenching, the phenomenon in which the emission efficiency decreases as
temperature rises. For this reason, the aim of the presented study is the modeling of remote phosphor systems in order to
investigate their thermal limitations and to calculate the parameters for optimizing the efficiency of such systems. The
common approach to simulate remote phosphor systems utilizes a combination of different tools such as ray tracing
algorithms and wave optics tools for describing the incident and converted light, whereas the modeling of the conversion
process itself, i.e. photoluminescence, in most cases is circumvented by using the absorption and emission spectra of the
phosphor material. In this study, we describe the processes involved in luminescence quantum-mechanically using the
single-configurational-coordinate diagram as well as the Franck-Condon principle and propose a simulation model that
incorporates the temperature dependence of these processes. Following an increasing awareness of climate change and
environmental issues, the development of ecologically friendly lighting systems featuring low power consumption and
high luminous efficiency is imperative more than ever. The better understanding of laser-based lighting systems is an
important step towards that aim as they may improve on LEDs in the near future.
The interaction effect of photodisruption, which is used for dissection of biological tissue with fs-laser pulses, has been intensively studied inside water as prevalent sample medium. In this case, the single effect is highly reproducible and, hence, the method of time-resolved photography is sufficiently applicable. In contrast, the reproducibility significantly decreases analyzing more solid and anisotropic media like biological tissue. Therefore, a high-speed photographic approach is necessary in this case. The presented study introduces a novel technique for high-speed photography based on the principle of chromatic encoding. For illumination of the region of interest within the sample medium, the light paths of up to 12 LEDs with various emission wavelengths are overlaid via optical filters. Here, MOSFET-electronics provide a LED flash with a duration <100 ns; the diodes are externally triggered with a distinct delay for every LED. Furthermore, the different illumination wavelengths are chromatically separated again for detection via camera chip. Thus, the experimental setup enables the generation of a time-sequence of ≤ 12 images of a single cavitation bubble dynamics. In comparison to conventional time-resolved photography, images in sample media like water and HEMA show the significant advantages of this novel illumination technique. In conclusion, the results of this study are of great importance for the fundamental evaluation of the laser-tissue interaction inside anisotropic biological tissue and for the optimization of the surgical process with high-repetition rate fs-lasers. Additionally, this application is also suitable for the investigation of other microscopic, ultra-fast events in transparent inhomogeneous materials.
KEYWORDS: Pulsed laser operation, Laser optics, Signal attenuation, Absorption, Infrared radiation, Sensors, Neurons, Acoustics, Water, Laser systems engineering, In vivo imaging, Signal detection
Optical cochlea stimulation is under investigation as a potential alternative to conventional electric cochlea implants in
treatment of sensorineural hearing loss. If direct optical stimulation of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) would be feasible,
a smaller stimulation volume and, therefore, an improved frequency resolution could be achieved. However, it is unclear
whether the mechanism of optical stimulation is based on direct neuronal stimulation or on optoacoustics. Animal studies
on hearing vs. deafened guinea pigs already identified the optoacoustic effect as potential mechanism for intra-cochlear
optical stimulation.
In order to characterize the optoacoustic stimulus more thoroughly the acoustic signal along the beam path of a pulsed
laser in water was quantified and compared to the neuronal response properties of hearing guinea pigs stimulated with
the same laser parameters. Two pulsed laser systems were used for analyzing the influence of variable pulse duration,
pulse energy, pulse peak power and absorption coefficient.
Preliminary results of the experiments in water and in vivo suggesta similar dependency of response signals on the
applied laser parameters: Both datasets show an onset and offset signal at the beginning and the end of the laser pulse.
Further, the resulting signal amplitude depends on the pulse peak power as well as the temporal development of the
applied laser pulse. The data indicates the maximum of the first derivative of power as the decisive factor. In conclusion
our findings strengthen the hypothesis of optoacoustics as the underlying mechanism for optical stimulation of the
cochlea.
The presented study focuses on the application of scanning laser optical tomography (SLOT) for non-destructive
visualization of anatomical structures inside the human cochlea ex vivo. SLOT is a laser-based highly efficient
microscopy technique, which allows for tomographic imaging of the internal structure of transparent large-scale
specimens (up to 1 cm3). Thus, in the field of otology this technique is best convenient for an ex vivo study of the inner
ear anatomy. For this purpose, the preparation before imaging comprises mechanically assisted decalcification,
dehydration as well as optical clearing of the cochlea samples. Here, we demonstrate results of SLOT visualizing hard
and soft tissue structures of the human cochlea with an optical resolution in the micrometer range using absorption and
autofluorescence as contrast mechanisms.
Furthermore, we compare our results with the method of X-ray micro tomography (micro-CT, μCT) as clinical gold
standard which is based only on absorption. In general, SLOT can provide the advantage of covering all contrast
mechanisms known from other light microscopy techniques, such as fluorescence or scattering. For this reason, a
protocol for antibody staining has been developed, which additionally enables selective mapping of cellular structures
within the cochlea. Thus, we present results of SLOT imaging rodent cochleae showing specific anatomical structures
such as hair cells and neurofilament via fluorescence. In conclusion, the presented study has shown that SLOT is an
ideally suited tool in the field of otology for in toto visualization of the inner ear microstructure.
We present a time-resolved photographic analysis of the pulse-to-pulse interaction. In particular, we studied the influence of the cavitation bubble induced by a fs-pulse on the optical focusing of the consecutive pulse and its cavitation bubble dynamics in dependence on temporal pulse separation in water. As a first result, by decreasing the temporal separation of laser pulses, there is a diminishment of the laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB) efficiency in terms of energy conversion, caused by disturbed focusing into persisting gas bubbles at the focal volume. A LIOB at the focal spot is finally suppressed by impinging the expanding or collapsing cavitation bubble of the preceding pulse. These results could be additionally confirmed in porcine gelatin solution with various concentrations. Hence, the interaction between the laser and transparent ophthalmic tissue may be accompanied by a raised central laser energy transmission, which could be observed in case of a temporal pulse overlap. In conclusion, our experimental results are of particular importance for the optimization of the prospective ophthalmic surgical process with future generation fs-lasers.
The immediate pulse-to-pulse interaction becomes more and more important for future-generation high-repetition rate ophthalmic laser systems. Therefore, we investigated the interaction of two laser pulses with different spatial and temporal separation by time-resolved photography. There are various different characteristic interaction mechanisms which are divided into 11 interaction scenarios. Furthermore, the parameter range has been constricted regarding the medical application; here, the efficiency was optimized to a maximum jet velocity along the scanning axis with minimum applied pulse energy as well as unwanted side effects at the same time. In conclusion, these results are of great interest for the prospective optimization of the ophthalmic surgical process with future-generation fs-lasers.
We present a time-resolved photographic analysis of the pulse-to-pulse interaction of temporally separated fs-laser pulses with various pulse overlap in water. Initially, by decreasing the temporal separation of laser pulses there is a diminishment of the laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB) probability, caused by focusing into persisting gas bubbles at the focal volume. A LIOB at the focal spot is finally impaired by the oscillating cavitation bubble of the preceding pulse. Hence, the interaction between the laser and transparent ophthalmic tissue may be accompanied by a raised laser energy transmission and a variation in the axial cutting depth, which could be observed in case of a pulse overlap. In conclusion, our experimental results are of particular importance for the optimization of the prospective ophthalmic surgical process with future-generation fs-lasers.
Interaction of subsequent laser pulses becomes important relevant with the use of high-repetition rate fs-laser systems for
ophthalmic laser surgery. Therefore, we investigated the interaction of temporally separated laser pulses in water by
time-resolved photography. With decreasing temporal separation of pulses the probability of laser-induced optical
breakdown (LIOB) is firstly diminished by disturbed focusing into persisting gas bubbles. Finally, LIOB is totally
impaired by the expanding or collapsing cavitation of the preceding pulse. Hence, laser-tissue interaction might be
accompanied by a raised laser energy transmission. In conclusion, these results are of great interest for the prospective
optimization of the ophthalmic surgical process with modern fs-lasers.
A today well-known laser based treatment in ophthalmology is the LASIK procedure which nowadays includes cutting
of the corneal tissue with ultra-short laser pulses. Instead of disposing a microkeratome for cutting a corneal flap, a
focused ultra-short laser pulse is scanned below the surface of biological tissue causing the effect of an optical
breakdown and hence obtaining a dissection. Inside the tissue, the energy of the laser pulses is absorbed by non-linear
processes; as a result a cavitation bubble expands and ruptures the tissue. Hence, positioning of several optical
breakdowns side by side generates an incision. Due to a reduction of the amount of laser energy, with a moderate
duration of treatment at the same time, the current development of ultra-short pulse laser systems points to higher
repetition rates in the range of even Megahertz instead of tens or hundreds of Kilohertz. In turn, this results in a pulse
overlap and therefor a probable occurrence of interaction between different optical breakdowns and respectively
cavitation bubbles of adjacent optical breakdowns. While the interaction of one single laser pulse with biological tissue is
analyzed reasonably well experimentally and theoretically, the interaction of several spatial and temporal following
pulses is scarcely determined yet. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyse the dynamic and interaction of two cavitation
bubbles by using high speed photography. The applied laser pulse energy, the energy ratio and the spot distance between
different cavitation bubbles were varied. Depending on a change of these parameters different kinds of interactions such
as a flattening and deformation of bubble shape or jet formation are observed. The effects will be discussed regarding the
medical ophthalmic application of fs-lasers. Based on these results a further research seems to be inevitable to
comprehend and optimize the cutting effect of ultra-short pulse laser systems with high (> 500 kHz) repetition rates.
We present a high-speed photographic analysis of the interaction of cavitation bubbles generated in two spatially separated regions by femtosecond laser-induced optical breakdown in water. Depending on the relative energies of the femtosecond laser pulses and their spatial separation, different kinds of interactions, such as a flattening and deformation of the bubbles, asymmetric water flows, and jet formation were observed. The results presented have a strong impact on understanding and optimizing the cutting effect of modern femtosecond lasers with high repetition rates (>1 MHz).
The LASIK procedure is a well established laser based treatment in ophthalmology. Nowadays it includes a cutting of
the corneal tissue bases on ultra short pulses which are focused below the tissue surface to create an optical breakdown
and hence a dissection of the tissue. The energy of the laser pulse is absorbed by non-linear processes that result in an
expansion of a cavitation bubble and rupturing of the tissue. Due to a reduction of the duration of treatment the current
development of ultra short laser systems points to higher repetition rates. This in turn results in a probable interaction
between different cavitation bubbles of adjacent optical breakdowns. While the interaction of one single laser pulse with
biological tissue is analyzed reasonably well experimentally and theoretically, the interaction of several spatial and
temporal following pulses is scarcely determined yet. We present a high-speed photography analysis of cavitation bubble
interaction for two spatial separated laser-induced optical breakdowns varying the laser pulse energy as well as the
spatial distance. Depending on a change of these parameters different kinds of interactions such as a flattening and
deformation of bubble shape, asymmetric water streams and jet formation were observed. The results of this research can
be used to comprehend and optimize the cutting effect of ultra short pulse laser systems with high repetition rates
(> 1 MHz).
A prominent laser based treatment in ophthalmology is the LASIK procedure which nowadays includes a cutting of the
corneal tissue based on ultra short pulses. Focusing an ultra short laser pulse below the surface of biological tissue an
optical breakdown is caused and hence a dissection is obtained. The laser energy of the laser pulses is absorbed by nonlinear
processes. As a result a cavitation bubble expands and ruptures the tissue. Hence positioning of several optical
breakdowns side by side generates an incision. Due to a reduction of the duration of the treatment the current
development of ultra short laser systems points to higher repetition rates in the range of hundreds of KHz or even MHz
instead of tens of kHz. This in turn results in a probable occurrence of interaction between different optical breakdowns
and respectively cavitation bubbles of adjacent optical breakdowns. While the interaction of one single laser pulse with
biological tissue is analyzed reasonably well experimentally and theoretically, the interaction of several spatial and
temporal following pulses is scarcely determined yet. Thus the aim of this study is to analyse the dynamic and interaction
of two cavitation bubbles by using high speed photography. The applied laser pulse energy, the energy ratio and the spot
distance between different cavitation bubbles were varied. Depending on a change of these parameters different kinds of
interactions such as a flattening and deformation of bubble shape or jet formation are observed. Based on these results a
further research seems to be inevitable to comprehend and optimize the cutting effect of ultra short pulse laser systems
with high (> 1 MHz) repetition rates.
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