FEL Applications in Biomedical Investigations

Free-electron lasers (FELs) are classical lasers that can provide widely tunable, highly intense, ultrashort laser pulses in any part of the spectrum. They are pulsed light sources, collectively operating from the microwave through the X- ray range. This accelerator-based technology spans gaps in wavelength, pulse structure, and optical power left by conventional sources. FELs with high-peak and high-average power are enabling biomedical investigations of infrared tissue ablation. Every medical laser application is based upon the compromise between efficiency and collateral adverse effects, generally. The optimizing strategies of preclinical investigations of IR lasers can be dramatically improved by using FEL technology, allowing the free combination of wavelength, pulselength and energy. FEL technology enables the optimizing of physical and biological parameters and reducing risks while minimizing time and costs involved. In this paper, we present the basic principles and advantages of FELs and introduce X- ray and terahertz FELs. Then we describe a survey of biomedical applications of free-electron lasers (FELs).