Laser pointer hazards for pilots and drivers of public transportations

Due to increasing laser pointer attacks we started a joint research project funded by the “Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung” (DGUV). Our study is based on more than 40 laser pointers in the wavelength range from 405 nm to 655 nm and beam power up to 1.500 mW. Beside divergence and power we have also determined polarization properties and intensity profiles. It has turned out that all pointers are linear polarized (80 % - 99 %). In general “blue” and “red” radiation shows strong inhomogeneous intensity distribution over the beam cross-section accompanied by characteristic “hot spots”. With regard to the specific hazard potential of pilots and drivers of public transportations we have used well known MPE levels for eye injury, flashblindness/afterimages, glare/disruption and distraction/startle. Calculation results of corresponding safety distances were compared to experimental results in laboratory and free space in practice, also considering the optical influence of windscreens. Therefore, required distances up to several 10 km were shortened down to a few meters in the laboratory by using optics for beam expansion in front of the laser pointer. The comparison of calculated and measured safety distances has revealed strong deviations with a factor up to 3 higher values for measured results.