Laser Safety Officer (AF) Exam
Questions and Answers
Class 1 Laser Classification - Correct Answers -- cannot emit laser radiation at levels
that are known to cause eye or skin injury during normal operation
-very low power or beam is fully enclosed
Class 1M Laser Classification - Correct Answers --incapable of hazardous exposure
conditions during normal ops unless viewed with collecting optics (binoculars)
-exempt from control measures, other than to prevent optical aided viewing
-exempt from other forms of surveillance
Class 2 Laser Classification - Correct Answers --low power, emit in visible spectrum
(400-700 nm)
-not considered strong enough to damage eyes because a person will normally blink
and look away if it enters their eyes (aversion response)
Reflective Filters - Correct Answers --can be designed to selectively reflect a given
wavelength while transmitting as much of the rest of the light as possible
-angular dependence of the spectral attenuation factor is generally present and may
require individual fitting/sizing
Diffraction Filters/Holograms - Correct Answers --are angular dependent devices
(protection is generally limited to a narrow angle of incidence and must be centered
directly over the pupils)
Dynamic Filters - Correct Answers --not yet available
-there is a need for a dynamic type of filter that can protect against changing
wavelengths and react in the time frames quick enough to shut out laser energy, with
the ability to recover quickly when the energy is removed
LEP Shape Recommendation - Correct Answers --curved to prevent hazardous
reflections and side shields if the laser can get behind the lens
LEP Wear and Tear - Correct Answers --sunbleaching (dye breaking down and the
becoming darker)
-scratches, cracks, crazind, melting
-saturable dye absorption devices can become saturated before damage occurs
-periodic inspections of LEP should occur at least every 365 days
Skin Protection - Correct Answers --skin covers and/or "sunscreen" creams for UV
, -gloves (tightly woven and opaque is best)
-lab coat can help protect arms
-for Class 4 lasers, consideration must be given to flame-retardant materials
Class 2M Laser Classification - Correct Answers --potentially hazardous if viewed with
collecting optics
-upper limit on a continuous wave laser in this class is 500 mW
Class 3R Laser Classification - Correct Answers --intermediate powered, hazardous
under direct and specular reflection viewing
-can produce no more that 5 mW in the visible region
Class 3B Laser Classification - Correct Answers --hazarous under direct and specular
reflection viewing
-not normally a diffuse reflection or fire hazard
operate between 5-500 mW for CW systems
cannot produce radiation energy greater than 0.125 J for pulsed systems
Class 4 Laser Classification - Correct Answers --high power, hazardous to eye or skin
from direct beam
-may pose a diffuse reflection or fire hazard
-pose ancillary hazards including laser-generated air contaminants and hazardous
plasma radiation
Laser components - Correct Answers --pumping system
-lasing medium
-optical cavity
Pumping System - Correct Answers --source of power that excites the lasing medium in
order to create photons for the laser beam
-can be an electrical source, a flash lamp or another laser
Lasing Medium - Correct Answers --what determines the wavelength of the system
-four types: solid state, gas, dye, and semiconductor
Optical Cavity - Correct Answers --contains the lasing medium and reflective mirrors
that guide the laser beam
-provide amplification to create the desired laser parameters
LASER acronym - Correct Answers -Light
Amplification by
Stimulated
Emission of
Radiation
Beam Characteristics - Correct Answers --monochromatic
Questions and Answers
Class 1 Laser Classification - Correct Answers -- cannot emit laser radiation at levels
that are known to cause eye or skin injury during normal operation
-very low power or beam is fully enclosed
Class 1M Laser Classification - Correct Answers --incapable of hazardous exposure
conditions during normal ops unless viewed with collecting optics (binoculars)
-exempt from control measures, other than to prevent optical aided viewing
-exempt from other forms of surveillance
Class 2 Laser Classification - Correct Answers --low power, emit in visible spectrum
(400-700 nm)
-not considered strong enough to damage eyes because a person will normally blink
and look away if it enters their eyes (aversion response)
Reflective Filters - Correct Answers --can be designed to selectively reflect a given
wavelength while transmitting as much of the rest of the light as possible
-angular dependence of the spectral attenuation factor is generally present and may
require individual fitting/sizing
Diffraction Filters/Holograms - Correct Answers --are angular dependent devices
(protection is generally limited to a narrow angle of incidence and must be centered
directly over the pupils)
Dynamic Filters - Correct Answers --not yet available
-there is a need for a dynamic type of filter that can protect against changing
wavelengths and react in the time frames quick enough to shut out laser energy, with
the ability to recover quickly when the energy is removed
LEP Shape Recommendation - Correct Answers --curved to prevent hazardous
reflections and side shields if the laser can get behind the lens
LEP Wear and Tear - Correct Answers --sunbleaching (dye breaking down and the
becoming darker)
-scratches, cracks, crazind, melting
-saturable dye absorption devices can become saturated before damage occurs
-periodic inspections of LEP should occur at least every 365 days
Skin Protection - Correct Answers --skin covers and/or "sunscreen" creams for UV
, -gloves (tightly woven and opaque is best)
-lab coat can help protect arms
-for Class 4 lasers, consideration must be given to flame-retardant materials
Class 2M Laser Classification - Correct Answers --potentially hazardous if viewed with
collecting optics
-upper limit on a continuous wave laser in this class is 500 mW
Class 3R Laser Classification - Correct Answers --intermediate powered, hazardous
under direct and specular reflection viewing
-can produce no more that 5 mW in the visible region
Class 3B Laser Classification - Correct Answers --hazarous under direct and specular
reflection viewing
-not normally a diffuse reflection or fire hazard
operate between 5-500 mW for CW systems
cannot produce radiation energy greater than 0.125 J for pulsed systems
Class 4 Laser Classification - Correct Answers --high power, hazardous to eye or skin
from direct beam
-may pose a diffuse reflection or fire hazard
-pose ancillary hazards including laser-generated air contaminants and hazardous
plasma radiation
Laser components - Correct Answers --pumping system
-lasing medium
-optical cavity
Pumping System - Correct Answers --source of power that excites the lasing medium in
order to create photons for the laser beam
-can be an electrical source, a flash lamp or another laser
Lasing Medium - Correct Answers --what determines the wavelength of the system
-four types: solid state, gas, dye, and semiconductor
Optical Cavity - Correct Answers --contains the lasing medium and reflective mirrors
that guide the laser beam
-provide amplification to create the desired laser parameters
LASER acronym - Correct Answers -Light
Amplification by
Stimulated
Emission of
Radiation
Beam Characteristics - Correct Answers --monochromatic
