title: First-order model of thermal lensing in a virtual eye.
abstract: An ABCD beam-propagation method was used to build a first-order mathematical model of a thermal lens effect from a near-infrared laser beam in water and ocular media. The model was found to fit experimental z-scan data best when the thermo-optic coefficient dn/dT of liquid water at 292 K was -4.46x10(-5) K(-1). The physiological parameters of the human eye were simulated in a simple eye model using this fitted dn/dT value. Conservative model simulations for 1150 and 1318 nm laser radiation include parameter sets used in experimental ocular exposures performed by Zuclich et al. [Health Phys.92, 15 (2007)] to illustrate the transient response of the thermal lens approaching the limits of the retinal damage thresholds for equivalent laser radiation sources.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas at Austin, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, Austin, TX 78712, USA. rebecca.vincelette@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Vincelette
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Benjamin A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Rockwell
authors.forename: Clifton D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Ashley J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Welch
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D005123:Eye / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007909:Lenses; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control