The Effect of Media on Heat Distribution by 1860 Nanometer Wavelength Infrared Radiation
Session Number
R04
Advisor(s)
Claus-Peter Richter, Northwestern University Xiaodong Tan, Northwestern University
Location
B-133
Start Date
28-4-2016 1:35 PM
End Date
28-4-2016 2:00 PM
Abstract
Infrared radiation can be utilized to stimulate the nervous system. Its ability to travel through different media must be tested to ensure its safe use in living tissue. In this study, we analyzed the heat distribution patterns of infrared light in different media. Theoretical equations for heat distribution were employed as a basis for the experiment. Saline was used to observe heat distribution in a medium similar to nervous tissue, and heavy water was used as a comparison. Changes in temperature over time in about two square millimeters of the medium were recorded and analyzed in MATLAB. Preliminary results tell us that the heat absorption constant of saline and heavy water are different. This changes the beam profile of the infrared laser in each media, lengthening its reach into the medium when the absorption constant is low, and shortening it when the absorption constant is high. Through this study, we gained a better understanding of the interactions between infrared light and different media, which helps to prepare us for the use of infrared radiation in nervous stimulation devices like cochlear implants.
The Effect of Media on Heat Distribution by 1860 Nanometer Wavelength Infrared Radiation
B-133
Infrared radiation can be utilized to stimulate the nervous system. Its ability to travel through different media must be tested to ensure its safe use in living tissue. In this study, we analyzed the heat distribution patterns of infrared light in different media. Theoretical equations for heat distribution were employed as a basis for the experiment. Saline was used to observe heat distribution in a medium similar to nervous tissue, and heavy water was used as a comparison. Changes in temperature over time in about two square millimeters of the medium were recorded and analyzed in MATLAB. Preliminary results tell us that the heat absorption constant of saline and heavy water are different. This changes the beam profile of the infrared laser in each media, lengthening its reach into the medium when the absorption constant is low, and shortening it when the absorption constant is high. Through this study, we gained a better understanding of the interactions between infrared light and different media, which helps to prepare us for the use of infrared radiation in nervous stimulation devices like cochlear implants.