Which laser wavelength is best absorbed by hemoglobin?

The best choice for a laser wavelength that is absorbed by hemoglobin is the diode laser wavelength. Hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen, has specific absorption characteristics at certain wavelengths. Diode lasers typically operate in the near-infrared range, around 800 to 900 nanometers, which coincides with hemoglobin's absorption peak. This strong absorption allows for effective treatment of vascular lesions and other conditions where targeting blood vessels is essential.

Understanding why this is the case involves an appreciation of the interaction between laser light and biological tissues. Hemoglobin absorbs light most efficiently in the visible and near-infrared spectrum, maximizing photothermal effects that can be beneficial in medical therapies.

The other options do not align with hemoglobin's absorption properties. Ultraviolet wavelengths do not penetrate deeply into biological tissues and are not used effectively for targeting hemoglobin. Infrared wavelengths, while sometimes absorbed by hemoglobin, generally do not have the most efficient absorption characteristics compared to diode wavelengths. X-ray wavelengths are primarily used for imaging and have minimal interaction with hemoglobin, making them unsuitable for therapies targeting blood.