Effect of mark-III free electron laser micropulse duration on mid-infrared soft tissue ablation characteristics

The FEL operating at 6.45 /spl mu/m in wavelength has been shown to ablate neural tissue in a highly efficient manner with minimal collateral damage (Lt;40 /spl mu/m); however, the mechanism of this efficient ablation has not been determined to date. In an effort to determine the mechanism of ablation at this wavelength, the effect of the micropulse structure was investigated. The analysis of the effect of pulse structure at 6.45 /spl mu/m; involved using the FEL with a different pulse structure.