Subthreshold Nano-Second Laser Treatment and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The presence of drusen is an important hallmark of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Laser-induced regression of drusen, first observed over four decades ago, has led to much interest in the potential role of lasers in slowing the progression of the disease. In this article, we summarise the key insights from pre-clinical studies into the possible mechanisms of action of various laser interventions that result in beneficial changes in the retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch’s membrane/choriocapillaris interface. Key learnings from clinical trials of laser treatment in AMD are also summarised, concentrating on the evolution of laser technology towards short pulse, non-thermal delivery such as the nanosecond laser. The evolution in our understanding of AMD, through advances in multimodal imaging and functional testing, as well as ongoing investigation of key pathological mechanisms, have all helped to set the scene for further well-conducted randomised trials to further explore potential utility of the nanosecond and other subthreshold short pulse lasers in AMD.

Toward experimental observations of induced Compton scattering by high-power laser facilities

Induced Compton scattering (ICS) is a nonlinear interaction between intense electromagnetic radiation and a rarefied plasma. Although the magnetosphere of pulsars is a potential site at which ICS occurs in nature, ICS signatures have not been discovered so far. One of the reasons for the non-detection of ICS signatures is that we still do not possess a concrete understanding of such nonlinear plasma interactions because of their nonlinear nature and the lack of experimental confirmations. Here, we propose a possible approach to understand ICS experimentally in laboratories, specifically, with the use of the up-to-date short-pulse lasers. We find that the scattered light of ICS has characteristic signatures in its spectrum. The signatures will be observed in some current laser facilities. The characteristic spectrum is quantitatively predictable and we can diagnose the properties of the scattering plasma from the signatures.

Ultra-Short Pulsed Laser Deposition of Oxides, Borides and Carbides of Transition Elements

Oxides, borides and carbides of the transition elements are materials of great interest from a technologic point of view. Many of these materials are used in the form of thin films, so several techniques are commonly used to deposit them. Among these techniques, Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) performed using ultra-short pulse lasers, mainly fs lasers, presents unique characteristics in respect to PLD performed using conventional short pulse lasers. Indeed, the films deposited using fs PLD are often nanostructured, and this technique often allows the target stoichiometry to be transferred to the films. In this work, we will review the use of ultra-short PLD in the production of films obtained from transition metal oxides, borides and carbides, evidencing the advantages offered by this technique, together with the problems arising with some of the studied systems. We conclude that even if ultra-short PLD is surely one of the most important and useful deposition techniques, it also presents limits that cannot be ignored.

Mikrostrukturierung mit innovativen Laserverfahren/Microstructuring Using Innovative Laser Processes

Die Herstellung funktionaler Oberflächen mit Strukturmerkmalen im Mikrometerbereich stellt für die Fertigungstechnik eine besondere Herausforderung dar. Ultrakurzpulslaser mit Pulsdauern im Femto- und Picosekundenbereich bieten hier Lösungen zur großflächigen Strukturierung mit Genauigkeiten im Nanometerbereich. Durch Kontrolle der zeitlichen Pulsfolge lassen sich die Produktivität des Verfahrens signifikant steigern und zusätzliche Prozessschritte, wie das Laserpolieren, integrieren.   The manufacturing of functional surfaces with feature size in the micrometre range is a distinct challenge in the field of production engineering. Ultra-short pulse lasers with pulse durations in the femto- and picosecond range offer solutions for large-area structuring with accuracies in the nanometer range. By controlling the temporal pulse sequence, the productivity of the process can be significantly increased and additional process steps such as laser polishing can be integrated.