Hollow Light Guide Tube For CO2 Laser Beam

The suitable laser power light guide system is neccessary in the medical laser apparatus. In order that the function be must effective, enough flexibility and safety of power laser guide are required. We have developed a non-toxic flexible CO2 laser beam guide with metal and polymer hollow tube. The present experimental results show that the CO2 laser beam tran smission rate about 85% per meter, emitted power was obtained about 81W at 1 meter guide length and any accidents were not happen under the continuous transmission. The emitted light beam spot was focused to about 0.5mm diameter. We have obtained emission beam power density of 40kW/cm2. The amounts of this power density will be practical use for medical applications. The guide tube have flexibility,the tube is bent easily to a round shape at radius above 10cm. The twist of tube is also possible. On the other hand, in order to inprovement of flexibility, we have forward trial product of narrow tube. The hollow guide tube will anticipate development of new medical application of CO2 laser.