Effect of open ultraviolet germicidal irradiation lamps on functionality of excimer lasers used in cornea surgery.

We report on the impact of direct ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) on reflective optics, used in the excimer laser system Allegretto Eye-Q. The aim of our work was to confirm our hypothesis based on long-rate observations of obtained anomalies in post-operative results that are attributed to degradation of reflective optics upon ultraviolet radiation. The presence of direct UVGI coupled with humidity in the operating environment caused merging anomalies and unwanted post-operative correction values. Ultraviolet-A radiation caused a similar effect on the reflective cover of the mirrors.

Acousto-optic interaction with leaky surface acoustic waves in Y-cut LiTaO3 crystals.

The acousto-optic interaction with leaky surface acoustic wave radiation into the bulk of YX-cut LiTaO(3) crystals has been investigated. The light incidence and diffraction angles corresponding to the strongest acousto-optic interaction were calculated and measured as functions of the acoustic wave frequency. The dependencies of the diffracted light intensity on the amplitude of radio-frequency voltage applied to the interdigital transducer (IDT) were studied. Our acousto-optic measurements revealed generation, by the IDTs, of slow shear bulk acoustic waves propagating at different angles depending on their frequency. A secondary acousto-optic interaction from the bulk waves radiated by the receiving IDT has been studied.