Laser Safety Officer (AF) Correct
Answers
Class 4 Laser Classification - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--pumping system
-lasing medium
-optical cavity
Pumping System - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--what determines the wavelength of the system
-four types: solid state, gas, dye, and semiconductor
Optical Cavity - ANSWER--contains the lasing medium and reflective mirrors that
guide the laser beam
-provide amplification to create the desired laser parameters
LASER acronym - ANSWER-Light
Amplification by
Stimulated
Emission of
Radiation
Beam Characteristics - ANSWER--monochromatic
-coherent
-collimated
Monochromatic - ANSWER--light emitted by a laser is almost pure in color of a
single wavelength
Coherent - ANSWER--measure of the degree of phase correlation that exists in the
radiation field of a light source at different locations and different times
-waves are tightly in phase or in step with one another
Collimated - ANSWER--parallel (highly collimated) fashion, high degree of a high
level of directionality
Modes of Operations - ANSWER--continuous or pulsed
Radiant Energy (Q) - ANSWER--energy that is emitted, transferred, or received in
the form of radiation; measured in Joules (J)
, Radiant Power - ANSWER--power that is emitted, transferred, or received in the
form of radiation; measured in Watts (W)
Radiant Exposure (H) - ANSWER--also called energy density
-radiant energy striking a surface divided by the area of that surface over which the
striking energy is distributed; measured in J/cm2
Irradiance (E) - ANSWER--also called power density
-radiant power striking a surface divided by the area of that surface over which the
striking energy is distributed; measured in W/cm2
Divergence angle - ANSWER--defines the rate at which a beam diameter expands or
spread over distance; measured in milliradians (mrad)
-lasers typically have divergence of 0.5 mrad
-can be used to calculate the beam spot size at any point along the path of travel
1 mrad = - ANSWER-0.0573 degrees
-1 mrad divergence means the beam diameter expands 1 mm for every meter
traveled
Government Standards and Regulations: - ANSWER-1. FDA Center for Devices and
Radiological Health (FDA/CDRH)
2. OSHA
3. FAA Order JO 7400.2G, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters
FDA/CDRH - ANSWER--regulates the manufacture of commercial laser products
-intent is to ensure laser product safety
OSHA - ANSWER--OSHA's construction standard provides guidance on personal
protective equipment such as laser safety gogles
FAA Order JO 7400.2G - ANSWER--establishes regulations and approval
procedures for the outdoor use of lasers that may impact airspace and the air traffic
within
Military Standards and Regulations: - ANSWER-1. DoDI 6055.15, Laser Protection
Program
2. AFI 48-139, LAser and Optical Radiation Protection Program
DoDI 6055.15, Laser Protection Program - ANSWER--implements policy, assigns
responsibilities, and describes procedures in support of the DoD Laser Protection
Program
AFI 48-139, Laser and Optical Radiation Protection Program - ANSWER--AF's
minimum requirements for a laser radiation protection program
-assigns responsibilities for the use of laser systems
Commercial Standards and Regulations: - ANSWER--American National Standards
Institute (ANSI)
Answers
Class 4 Laser Classification - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--pumping system
-lasing medium
-optical cavity
Pumping System - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--what determines the wavelength of the system
-four types: solid state, gas, dye, and semiconductor
Optical Cavity - ANSWER--contains the lasing medium and reflective mirrors that
guide the laser beam
-provide amplification to create the desired laser parameters
LASER acronym - ANSWER-Light
Amplification by
Stimulated
Emission of
Radiation
Beam Characteristics - ANSWER--monochromatic
-coherent
-collimated
Monochromatic - ANSWER--light emitted by a laser is almost pure in color of a
single wavelength
Coherent - ANSWER--measure of the degree of phase correlation that exists in the
radiation field of a light source at different locations and different times
-waves are tightly in phase or in step with one another
Collimated - ANSWER--parallel (highly collimated) fashion, high degree of a high
level of directionality
Modes of Operations - ANSWER--continuous or pulsed
Radiant Energy (Q) - ANSWER--energy that is emitted, transferred, or received in
the form of radiation; measured in Joules (J)
, Radiant Power - ANSWER--power that is emitted, transferred, or received in the
form of radiation; measured in Watts (W)
Radiant Exposure (H) - ANSWER--also called energy density
-radiant energy striking a surface divided by the area of that surface over which the
striking energy is distributed; measured in J/cm2
Irradiance (E) - ANSWER--also called power density
-radiant power striking a surface divided by the area of that surface over which the
striking energy is distributed; measured in W/cm2
Divergence angle - ANSWER--defines the rate at which a beam diameter expands or
spread over distance; measured in milliradians (mrad)
-lasers typically have divergence of 0.5 mrad
-can be used to calculate the beam spot size at any point along the path of travel
1 mrad = - ANSWER-0.0573 degrees
-1 mrad divergence means the beam diameter expands 1 mm for every meter
traveled
Government Standards and Regulations: - ANSWER-1. FDA Center for Devices and
Radiological Health (FDA/CDRH)
2. OSHA
3. FAA Order JO 7400.2G, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters
FDA/CDRH - ANSWER--regulates the manufacture of commercial laser products
-intent is to ensure laser product safety
OSHA - ANSWER--OSHA's construction standard provides guidance on personal
protective equipment such as laser safety gogles
FAA Order JO 7400.2G - ANSWER--establishes regulations and approval
procedures for the outdoor use of lasers that may impact airspace and the air traffic
within
Military Standards and Regulations: - ANSWER-1. DoDI 6055.15, Laser Protection
Program
2. AFI 48-139, LAser and Optical Radiation Protection Program
DoDI 6055.15, Laser Protection Program - ANSWER--implements policy, assigns
responsibilities, and describes procedures in support of the DoD Laser Protection
Program
AFI 48-139, Laser and Optical Radiation Protection Program - ANSWER--AF's
minimum requirements for a laser radiation protection program
-assigns responsibilities for the use of laser systems
Commercial Standards and Regulations: - ANSWER--American National Standards
Institute (ANSI)
