Case studies of three unique extended source laser devices Available to Purchase

Traditionally most laser systems produce light that is directional and appears to emanate from a small source. The source size of a laser is characterized by the angle it subtends when determined from the applicable viewing or measurement distance. Small sources subtend an angle less than or equal to 1.5 mrad and are more hazardous than extended sources with the same output characteristics. New laser technologies and applications with extended sources continue to be introduced into the market place requiring Laser Safety Officers (LSOs) to review and understand the related hazards and classifications. Most LSOs are familiar with the methods defined in the American National Standard ANSI Z136.1 for Safe Use of Lasers (2000) or the International Standard IEC 60825-1 Ed. 1.2 Equipment classification, requirements, and user’s guide used to classify or perform a hazard evaluation on lasers with a small apparent source. However, most LSOs do not have experience evaluating an extended source laser and when called upon to do so are often surprised or confused by the results. The surprise arises because many times the results are not intuitively obvious when applying the logic of small source directional lasers. This paper discusses and provides parameters of three unique cases of extended source lasers that produced unexpected or surprising results to the laser safety professionals when the hazard classification was determined.