Short pulse mid-infrared laser source for surgery

a source of laser energy for surgical applications solid producing radiation in the short pulse mid band infrared status occurs. Specifically, the laser preferably emits radiation near the absorption peak of water, with energy levels of up to 20 mJ, durations minor pulses of 50 ns and preferably less than 30 ns, with a beam quality less than eight times the diffraction limit. The short pulses reduce unwanted thermal effects and changes in adjacent tissue even potentially submicron levels. The laser source produces repetition rates of greater pulse 10Hz when pumped by a stroboscopic lamp, but in one embodiment pumped by diode, the repetition rate may be higher than 30 Hz. Of particular interest is a YAG laser doped erbium is particularly suited to the needs of corneal ablation procedures using mean radiacionesinfrarrojas to correct refractive errors, when constructed according to the principles presented by the invention.