Laser Range Safety Tool (LRST)for Target Reflection Analysis

Abstract

As high energy lasers move from the safe confines of the laboratory into the outdoor domain, additional problems arise in dealing with laser safety. Not only are the nominal ocular hazard distances for direct exposure impractical (on the order of thousands of miles), but now diffuse reflections off targets also have the potential for eye damage out to significant distances. These increased hazard distances are alarming, because it is difficult to contain direct and reflected beam energy on test ranges of limited size. An additional complication is the use of moving targets and, in some cases, moving sources. As a result, a complex series of laser safety calculations is required in order to ensure safe outdoor testing and use of high energy lasers. The Optical Radiation Branch of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory is developing new tools and techniques for calculating laser hazard zones. These include a computer model, the Laser Range Safety Tool, which calculates the reflected energy distribution and resulting bio-hazards, produced when high energy lasers impact moving targets. With this tool we expect to support new technology development, while maintaining the highest standards of human safety and environmental compliance.As high energy lasers move from the safe confines of the laboratory into the outdoor domain, additional problems arise in dealing with laser safety. Not only are the nominal ocular hazard distances for direct exposure impractical (on the order of thousands of miles), but now diffuse reflections off targets also have the potential for eye damage out to significant distances. These increased hazard distances are alarming, because it is difficult to contain direct and reflected beam energy on test ranges of limited size. An additional complication is the use of moving targets and, in some cases, moving sources. As a result, a complex series of laser safety calculations is required in order to ensure safe outdoor testing and use of high energy lasers. The Optical Radiation Branch of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory is developing new tools and techniques for calculating laser hazard zones. These include a computer model, the Laser Range Safety Tool, which calculates the reflected energy distribution and ...