SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE LASER PARAMETERS FOR LAUNCHING SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVES ON TOOTH ENAMEL FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE HARDNESS MEASURMENT

In this paper the selection of optimal laser parameters for generating surface acoustic waves on dental enamel is discussed. Spectrophotometric analysis of enamel sections shows two near-IR wavelengths that are strongly absorbed. Simulations of Duhamel’s theorem were used to determine the laser damage threshold and the appropriate laser pulse repetition rate.