Laser damage, a new US standard: What is in it for me?

Abstract

Successful commerce of science and technology requires standardization of measurement. Today more than ever, there is need for a new Optical Laser Damage standard to increase the efficiency of commerce in the optical industry. The current Laser Damage Standard, ISO 21254, is overly complicated for a general seller/buyer and can produce ambiguous results. To address the challenges to efficient commerce from ISO 21254, OEOSC Task Force 7 (TF7) is developing a new US laser damage standard. The new standard is based on a measurement theory approach and introduced and examined. The optical manufacturer (seller) directly benefits from an operationally effective means to determine acceptance criteria around the ability of categorizing optics that will meet customer’s requirements. OEOSC Task Group TF7 is seeking broad industry support to develop the most useful and robust standard possible. The new US Laser Damage Standard will benefit the optical manufacturing industry and customers alike that use optics susceptible to laser damage in their applications by providing a clear unambiguous pass or fail result. The paper will conclude with a discussion of the path forward in the development of the US laser damage standard.