Study of a Frugal Design Picosecond Laser System for Laser-Assisted Corneal Surgery.

Femtosecond lasers have long been the gold standard for corneal laser-assisted surgery, but their high cost limits widespread use. This study challenges their supremacy by investigating a cost-effective alternative: a frugal all-fiber picosecond laser source. We first conduct a pump-probe experiment to characterize cavitation bubbles in water based on the laser pulse's temporal profile. Picosecond pulses concentrate energy in a confined volume near the focal point, allowing for more precise material interaction than femtosecond pulses. A distortion in the temporal profile, often seen as a flaw, paradoxically further reduces cavitation bubble size. These findings are then applied to ex vivo porcine cornea cutting tests. Results show that 1.5 ps pulses with a distorted profile create sharp, consistent cuts. This study reveals that a cost-effective picosecond laser can rival femtosecond lasers in precision, paving the way for more accessible corneal laser-assisted surgery.