MIRcat OPERATION
•
D11-00028-02-A
Page
4
of
54
I.
INTRODUCTION & USER SAFETY
The safe and effective use of our products is of the utmost importance to Daylight Solutions. This manual
describes the safe installation, use, and maintenance of the ‘MIRcat™ family of widely tunable mid-IR laser
systems. This product family includes MIRcat-QT-2xxx (tuning slew rates to >5,000 cm
-1
/s) and MIRcat-
1xxx (slew rates up to 100 cm
-1
/s) systems. All information in this manual applies interchangeably to
MIRcat-QT and MIRcat-1xxx product models unless stated otherwise. Please read this manual, including
Laser Safety Warnings
section, before attempting to operate the laser. A basic knowledge of laser safety is
assumed. Consult the relevant portions of Laser Institute of America’s (LIA) document 21 CFR Part 1040
Section 1040.10 for Class IIIB lasers (or Class IV lasers, if your system provides Class IV output).
This symbol is intended to alert the user of this equipment to the presence of exposure to
hazardous invisible or, depending on options selected at time of order*, visible laser radiation.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of dangerous voltages associated with
the product that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electrical shock.
This symbol is intended to alert the user of this equipment of the potential injury hazards. Obey
all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
CAUTION:
Caution used with the safety alert symbol indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, may result in property damage.
WARNING:
Warning indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result
in minor or moderate injury.
DANGER:
Danger indicates an imminent hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury.
NOTE:
To shut-off power to the unit completely, disconnect AC power.
1. Laser Safety Warnings
CAUTION:
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE USER ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE LASER
HEAD. Opening the laser head will void the warranty, and may result in and/or irreparable
damage to internal components. The laser head is also purged with a dry inert gas before sealing
to minimize moisture. Breaking this seal will also void the warranty.
CAUTION:
The laser radiation emitted from MIRcat laser systems is invisible to the naked eye
and may be harmful if the beam makes direct and prolonged contact with the eye. In some units,
depending on options selected at time of order*, the laser may also emit visible laser radiation. In
all cases, avoid direct exposure to the beam or looking directly towards the laser beam. These
lasers emit light in the wavelength range from
3
µ
m to 14
µ
m
, depending on the wavelength
range options selected at the time of order. If the visible aiming beam option was selected at time
of order, these lasers will also emit in the range
~0.6 to 0.7
µ
m
. The specific range of each laser is
listed on the safety label affixed to each MIRcat. An example of the safety labels is shown below.
*For more information, please contact Daylight Solutions or your authorized distributor.
