Eye safety evaluation of laser systems based on damage calculations

Abstract

The increasing complexity of laser systems, e.g. LiDAR systems and medical devices, which combine scanned and pulsed light sources, complicates their evaluation in compliance with the current laser safety standard. In addition, the safety standard is becoming increasingly more complex and requires thorough background knowledge. We propose a tool that evaluates ocular safety of laser systems based on damage modelling. Therefore ray tracing software, which takes into account the specific optical design, is combined with damage predictions e.g. based on the Arrhenius integral in the case of thermal damage. The potential for adopting this easy-to-use software package as an alternative to the laser safety standard is discussed. For a complete hazard evaluation, we aim to include damage modelling in the photochemical, thermomechanical and photomechanical regimes. This approach might be particularly attractive for manufacturers to improve their products optical design in terms of eye safety.The increasing complexity of laser systems, e.g. LiDAR systems and medical devices, which combine scanned and pulsed light sources, complicates their evaluation in compliance with the current laser safety standard. In addition, the safety standard is becoming increasingly more complex and requires thorough background knowledge. We propose a tool that evaluates ocular safety of laser systems based on damage modelling. Therefore ray tracing software, which takes into account the specific optical design, is combined with damage predictions e.g. based on the Arrhenius integral in the case of thermal damage. The potential for adopting this easy-to-use software package as an alternative to the laser safety standard is discussed. For a complete hazard evaluation, we aim to include damage modelling in the photochemical, thermomechanical and photomechanical regimes. This approach might be particularly attractive for manufacturers to improve their products optical design in terms of eye safety.