Russian scientists have developed a cheap and powerful laser scalpel made from ceramic materials, which might help doctors conduct operations without actually causing serious injury to the patient, while workers would be able to cut and engrave with ease composite materials, told MIPT.
The laser consists out of a combination between lutetium alloy and thulium ions, which are energized and then emitted in the infrared range.
An additional bonus of this brand new development is that it can be used not only for cutting body tissue but also for trimming various polymeric materials, which appear transparent to an ordinary infrared laser. This technology might find its way into the aircraft industry and in other domains, where a large number of composite materials are applied in manufacturing.
