COMPARATIVE HAZARD EVALUATION OF NEAR-INFRARED DIODE-LASERS

Hazard evaluation methods from various laser protection standards diff er when applied to extended-source, near-infrared lasers. By way of ex ample, various hazard analyses are applied to laser training systems, which incorporate diode lasers, specifically those that assist in trai ning military or law enforcement personnel in the proper use of weapon s by simulating actual firing by the substitution of a beam of near-in frared energy for bullets. A correct hazard evaluation of these lasers is necessary since simulators are designed to be directed toward pers onnel during normal use. The differences among laser standards are mos t apparent when determining the hazard class of a laser. Hazard classi fication is based on a comparison of the potential exposures with the maximum permissible exposures in the 1986 and 1993 versions of the Ame rican National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers, Z136.1, and the ac cessible emission limits of the federal laser product performance stan dard. Necessary safety design features of a particular system depend o n the hazard class. The ANSI Z136.1-1993 standard provides a simpler a nd more accurate hazard assessment of low-power, near-infrared, diode laser systems than the 1986 ANSI standard. Although a specific system is evaluated, the techniques described can be readily applied to other near-infrared lasers or laser training systems.