Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics

Volume 9, Issue 1 (January 2021)

ISSN Print: 2327-4352   ISSN Online: 2327-4379

Google-based Impact Factor: 0.70  Citations  

Thermal Effect of a Revolving Gaussian Beam on Activating Heat-Sensitive Nociceptors in Skin

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DOI: 10.4236/jamp.2021.91007    210 Downloads   713 Views  Citations

ABSTRACT

We consider the problem of inducing withdrawal reflex on a test subject by exposing the subject’s skin to an electromagnetic beam. Heat-sensitive nociceptors in the skin are activated wherever the temperature is above the activation temperature. Withdrawal reflex occurs when the activated volume reaches a threshold. Previously we studied static beams with 3 types of power density distribution: Gaussian, super-Gaussian, and flat-top. We found that the flaptop is the best and the Gaussian is the worst in their performance with regard to 1) minimizing the time to withdrawal reflex, 2) minimizing the energy consumption and 3) minimizing the maximum temperature increase. The less-than-desirable performance of Gaussian beams is attributed to the uneven distribution of power density resulting in low energy efficiency: near the beam center the high power density does not contribute proportionally to increasing the activated volume; outside the beam effective radius the low power density fails to activate nociceptors. To overcome the drawbacks of Gaussian beams, in this study, we revolve a Gaussian beam around a fixed point to make the power density more uniformly distributed. We optimize the performance over two parameters: the spot size of static beam and the radius of beam revolution. We find that in comparison with a static Gaussian beam, a revolving Gaussian beam can reduce the energy consumption, and at the same time lower the maximum temperature.

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Wang, H. , Burgei, W. and Zhou, H. (2021) Thermal Effect of a Revolving Gaussian Beam on Activating Heat-Sensitive Nociceptors in Skin. Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics, 9, 88-100. doi: 10.4236/jamp.2021.91007.

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