Open AccessEffects of polarization and apodization on laser induced optical breakdown threshold
Author(s) -
Babu Varghese,
Simona Turco,
Valentina Bonito,
Rieko Verhagen
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.018304
Subject(s) - apodization , optics , polarization (electrochemistry) , irradiance , materials science , laser , physics , chemistry
We investigated the influence of polarization and apodization on laser induced optical breakdown threshold in transparent and diffuse media using linearly and radially polarized light. We demonstrate a lower irradiance threshold for optical breakdown using radially polarized light. The dominance of radial polarization in higher-order multiphoton ionization has important medical applications where a lower irradiance threshold may allow reaching deeper layers inside the skin with less risk of collateral damage and thereby improving safety and efficacy of treatment.