Laser safety associated with the manufacture and use of laser diodes

Abstract

As the use of laser diodes in various technologies increases concurrent with higher obtainable output powers, the laser safety aspects unique to such devices and applications must be examined. In terms of the radiant energy emitted from a laser diode or, in telecommunications applications from the end of an optical fiber, most devices are considered potentially hazardous, i.e., Class 3b. However, when one considers the unique aspects of a highly divergent beam and the physiological limits for close viewing the emission, many devices appear to be considerably less hazardous than one might suspect. By means of a discussion of those aspects of laser safety standards that apply to optical fiber communication systems, the unique characteristics of laser diodes and the pertinent safety aspects that one should consider during the use and manufacture of devices used in the telecommunications industry are addressed.As the use of laser diodes in various technologies increases concurrent with higher obtainable output powers, the laser safety aspects unique to such devices and applications must be examined. In terms of the radiant energy emitted from a laser diode or, in telecommunications applications from the end of an optical fiber, most devices are considered potentially hazardous, i.e., Class 3b. However, when one considers the unique aspects of a highly divergent beam and the physiological limits for close viewing the emission, many devices appear to be considerably less hazardous than one might suspect. By means of a discussion of those aspects of laser safety standards that apply to optical fiber communication systems, the unique characteristics of laser diodes and the pertinent safety aspects that one should consider during the use and manufacture of devices used in the telecommunications industry are addressed.