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Safety precautions
Exercise caution to protect against specular reflections since reflections at
the laser wavelength are invisible.
Eye safety is great concern when using a high-power laser. There are often
many secondary beams present at various angles near the laser. These beams
are specular reflections of the main beam from polished surfaces. While weaker
than the main beam, such beams may still be sufficiently intense to cause eye
damage. Laser beams ar also powerful enough to burn skin, clothing or paint.
They can ignite volatile substances such as alcohol, gasoline, ether, and other
solvents and can damage the light-sensitive elements in videp cameras,
photomultipliers, and photodiodes.
Use protective eyewear when operating the laser and guard against
inadvertent exposure to skin or clothing. Select eyewear which is
suitable for use with the wavelengths and radiation intensity that the
laser emits.
Do not remove the protective covering over the beam path. During
normal operation, internal reflections are confined within the laser head
and pose no safety hazard.
Never look directly into the laser output port when the power is on.
Only authorize personnel who have been instructed in and fully
understand the necessary safety procedures must use this laser.
