• Overview over the presently used lasers and methods of application in medicine.
• Understanding of the function principles of a laser: comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of various laser types in medical applications according to their way of functioning.

The lecture is organized roughly in two sections: in the first the fundamentals of laser as well as the types of lasers relevant in medicine will be discussed. In the second one, an overview of medical applications is provided.

Basics of lasers: laser media, excitation, interaction of light and matter, pumping
The laser resonator: modes, losses
Magnification: two-level system, spectral transition
Special Lasers: Neodymium laser, gas lasers, HeNe laser, ion laser, CO2 laser, excimer laser, dye laser, semiconductor laser
Laser safety - Medical laser applications: effects on biological material, overview of thermal and photo-chemical effects, ophtalmological applications, photodynamic therapy, lasers in dentistry biostimulation, laser methods in basic biological research

Usually, an excursion to the Vienna Dental Clinic is offered within the framework of this lecture.

Registration per E-Mail (ernst.wintner@tuwien.ac.at) is required in order to organize a block schedule during the months May and June.

Lecture notes are provided by the lecturer.