Raydiance laser can vaporize matter sans heat

While the benefits of lasers that heat can't be shunned, a Petaluma-based startup has slightly different applications in mind for its ultrashort pulse lasers. Raydiance has purportedly developed a laser that "looks like an ordinary slide projector," yet can emit "burst of photons so intense that it can vaporize matter without creating heat." Its uses could span every area from removing tattoos (yes, even Zune ones) without burning the skin, killing cancer cells without affecting healthy ones, or handling any undercover task that the military may require. As it stands, FDA collaboration is said to be "in the early stages," but considering that the firm has already raised some $25 million and plans on doubling its staff to 60 folks in the not too distance future, commercialization may be but a blink away.

[Via Digg, image courtesy of BusinessWeek]

[derek @ Jun 20th 2007 7:50PM]

that cancer part sounds interesting, this could be one of the most important inventions ever if it could cure cancer

[jwinston2 @ Jun 20th 2007 8:05PM]

this is not a magic laser that only kills cancer cells.

You still must target the cancer cells, if the laser hits healthy cells, the healthy cells will die. What this does allow is precision due to the lack of heat that has plagued techniques in the past.

[Ryan @ Jun 22nd 2007 2:40PM]

Jwinston2 is correct. The light would have to pass through tissue that would absorb it before it could reach the cancer cells. Look up a theory called Selective Thermolyosis. It will help a lot. There is no frequency of laser light that can pass through that much tissue without being absorbed.

[zonamanoz @ Jun 20th 2007 8:07PM]

I cringe everytime I read about new tech and in the list of applications it mentions "military" :/.

Let's see it do good in the other areas.

[L. Cyphre @ Jun 21st 2007 3:24AM]

You can think of military uses for almost any technologies developed nowadays. For example the Swarovski Crystal dress could make a nice stealth suit :)
And without military research we probably wouldn't have computers, cell phones, the internet and loads of other basic stuff today... We wouldn't even have Engadget!

[NeoLink @ Jun 20th 2007 8:13PM]

Set phasers for vaporize!

[Eric @ Jun 20th 2007 8:31PM]

Finally, I can have a real lightsaber!

[Josh @ Jun 20th 2007 8:56PM]

That man should not be let anywhere near this device. Look at his crazed look!

[jivetrky @ Jun 21st 2007 2:23AM]

he's envisioning attaching these lasers to the heads of his killer sharks!

[Richard Lai @ Jun 21st 2007 10:00AM]

It looks like he just got his willy burnt off.

[Phour ZwanZig @ Jun 20th 2007 9:17PM]

Wonder if this works on our Ever-Growning Garbage Dumps..

[yoinkers @ Jun 20th 2007 10:21PM]

I love how they're proclaiming miraculous new technology. Femtosecond lasers have been around for decades now. Granted new solid state designs are allowing for turnkey systems but it's not fundamentally new. Femtosecond spectroscopy is a mature field and all these effects are well known.

Don't get me wrong, I love these lasers and use them all the time. It's just not new...

[tinder @ Jun 20th 2007 11:12PM]

yeah, i run a research lab that uses these types of lasers for microscopy. they existed decades ago and solid state turnkey ones almost ten years ago. using them for cutting, marking, etc is routine in the field. there's nothing new about this technology

[uclatommy @ Jun 21st 2007 12:49AM]

So when are they going to make it into a gun makes pew pew pew sounds?

[drtekger @ Jun 21st 2007 1:46AM]

Apple is working on it. The "iPew pew pew" messias l.a.s.e.r.

[luvlifev @ Jun 21st 2007 4:41AM]

I wonder if this can light cigarettes like that crazy laser pointer site.
http://www.wickedlasers.com

[Kaminix @ Jun 21st 2007 6:34AM]

If it works, this might actually revolutionize society as a whole. It opens up endless possibilities!

[Eric @ Jun 21st 2007 9:42AM]

yoinkers is right, femtosecond laser ablation is nothing new. Been used in the semiconductor industry for quite a while.

[dluna33 @ Jun 21st 2007 12:11PM]

The goggles...they do nothing!!

[Derek971 @ Jun 21st 2007 1:16PM]

They can destroy matter without heat?
Scary future
ah Mr. Jones, we see that you are unemployed, please step into the booth for your "laser scan".

[REDbULL Runner @ Jun 21st 2007 4:05PM]

Hmm... im amazed that noone has beat me to it.

"SHARKS WITH FRIKKEN LASER BEAMS ON THEIR FOREHEADS!"

[Joe P @ Jun 22nd 2007 2:06AM]

Is anyone else creeped out by the guy's eyes in the picture? It's like he's staring into the sun...

[nate @ Jun 22nd 2007 2:15PM]

I believe there was an article in PopSci a month or two ago about a new developing landfill device that would vaporize trash using a laser- anyone familiar with the article and know if this laser is related?

If not, then it should be; think of all the landfill space/trash we could "get rid of" using this device.

[IdanL @ Jun 23rd 2007 9:03AM]

It's a different thing...

The device you're referring to is using an intense electric arc, something like a small lighting which rips molecules apart. Its best part is that it produces 30%-40% more energy then it takes to operate...

[nate @ Jun 23rd 2007 10:20AM]

Ah, I remember now, yea thanks for the clarification.