Optical temperature probe

In order to quantify the energy deposition at a dielectric-tissue interface, a simple optical Temperature probe to measure the transient temperature rise of the laser-heated layer at this interface is presented. The optical temperature probe (1) is noninvasive, so as not to alter the optical, thermal. and mechanical properties of the sample, (2) has a fast time response (nanoseconds), in order to measure the temperature increase during a short laser pulse, and (3) has high spatial resolution (micrometers), in order to probe only the heated layer. The probe is also capable of detecting ablation at the optic-tissue interface. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.