Local mechanical stimulation of the hearing organ by laser irradiation

• Light produces force when interacting with matter. Such radiation pressure may be used to accelerate small objects along the beam path of a laser. Here, we demonstrate that a moderately powerful laser can deliver enough force to locally stimulate the hearing organ, in the absence of conventional sound. Damped mechanical oscillations are observed following brief laser pulses, implying that the organ of Corti is locally resonant. This new method will be helpful for probing the mechanical properties of the hearing organ, which have crucial importance for the ear's ability to detect sound.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

basilar membrane

cochlear microphonic potential

interferometry

pressure

radiation

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)