Low-threshold cavitation in water using IR laser pulse trains.

The low-temperature cavitational disruption by trains of laser pulses was demonstrated in water. The trains used in the experiment were generated by a Raman laser at a wavelength of 1626 nm. The mean value of the fragmentation threshold energy density per pulse in a train was estimated to be equal to 7.

[The biological effects and criteria for assessing the danger of laser radiation].

Biological effects of laser radiation (LR) are determined by the absorption properties of the irradiated tissues and physiological characteristics of radiation. The high intensities of the effect are accompanied by melting, evaporation, substance ionization, formation of shock and acoustic waves. Under the action of the low-intensity LR there prevail photochemical, photobiological and thermal processes.

Retinal damage from intense visible light.

Studies of laboratory animal retinal exposure to green monochromatic laser radiation show an increasing stability of tissue with increasing pulse duration up to 10(-1) s. This mechanism of biological response of the eye to light damage is fundamental to living systems. It does not manifest itself in animals under deep anesthesia.