Start

Properties of
Laser Light

How Laser
Energy is Generated

Laser Tissue Interaction

Holmium Laser
in Endourology

Anatomy of a Laser Pulse

Understanding Energy Density

Safety Precautions

Ocular Hazards

Skin Hazards

Other Hazards

Next >>

How Laser Energy is Generated

Laser energy is generated inside the laser system's resonator cavity. This diagram is a schematic representation of the Odyssey's resonator chamber, a free-running, flash lamp pumped, solid-state laser.

Electricity is drawn from the wall outlet and is used to charge a capacitor bank inside the power supply. When the user depresses the foot switch, the charge energy is used to light the flash lamp—or excitation mechanism. The light from the flash lamp is then used to excite the lasing medium which starts the "lasing" action. Excited light photons then resonate between the high reflector and the output coupler. This amplifies the energy within the cavity. The output coupler then allows a measured amount of laser energy out of the cavity to constitute the working beam

The holmium laser working beam is invisible, so the Odyssey contains an coaxial (along the same optical axis) visible aiming beam to help you target the working beam.