These methods can cause tissue injury and can introduce a foreign body that may produce inflammation and infection. Furthermore, present standard procedures are time-consuming and take years to master. The Applied Physics Group is headed by Prof. Abraham Katzir, and is part of the School of Physics and Astronomy in the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences. The laser research being done at Tel Aviv University has drawn substantial support from its American friends. Laser research at the University is also supported by the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation.
Plans call for expanded collaboration with scientists and physicians from Israel and abroad.
Avi Ravid is a researcher who has been working on the laser welding project. He is also one of five Tel Aviv University doctoral candidates who were recently awarded an Intel Prize in recognition of exceptional achievement. The Applied Physics Group responded to this challenge by developing a system that enables the heating of surfaces under precise temperature control. Ravid said the system uses laser light to heat the area of the cut and an infrared-radiation measuring technique originated by the research team to accurately determine the temperature of the surface. This measuring technique was made possible by the development of unique crystalline optical fibers that transmit infrared radiation.