308nm Laser Ablation Via Fiberoptics: The Influence Of Pressure And Repetition Rate.

Excimer laser ablation (308nm) of canine aortic samples was performed via an UV grade fused silica fiber. The influence of the repetition rate (2-20 Hz) and of the applied pressure (1-6 Atm) on the ablation rate was studied. Operative fluences between 30mJ/mm2 to 40mJ/mm2 were used. Results show a linear dependence of the ablation rate on the repetition rate for all fluences. The linearity was also preserved at various applied pressures and at low repetition rates for the same range of fluences. A saturation effect was observed at increased values of repetition rate. No dependence of the ablation rate on the repetition rate was observed when the experiment was performed using direct irradiation with a mask instead of a fiberoptic.