Laser Eye Protection

Laser Eye Protection

The graphic and table below describe the appropriate protective eyeware for use
with each of our lasers, and the color vision that you should expect using each.

Spectrum graphic

The chart above shows the electromagnetic spectrum from the ultraviolet through the near-infrared. Highlighted are the principal lines of our lasers, and the best- protected ranges of our protective goggles (OD>6). Superimposed on the visible part of the spectrum is the curve describing the color sensitivity of the eye. Taken together, these features should tell you how to protect your eyes and what color vision to expect. The ranges shown are approximate; for specific data, see below.

Designation	Use	Optical density at wavelength	Limitations	Picture
Pink	KLS long pulse, MOT trapping, CSU L1	4+ @ 755-780 nm, 7+ @ 780-840 nm, 4+ @ 840-855 nm
Blue	KLS short pulse, HeNe, CO2	4+ @ 630-690 nm, 7+ @ 690-970 nm, 5+ @ 970-1100 nm, 5+ @ 10,600 nm	Blocks all visible red light, including red LEDs
Brown	KLS + pump, KLS 2^nd harmonic, KLS 3^rd harmonic	9+ @ 190-520 nm, 7+ @ 520-532 nm, 3+ @ 710-750 nm, 5+ @ 750-850 nm, 7+ @ 850-1080 nm, 7+ @ 5-11 mm	Blocks visible blue LEDs
Grey	LUMOS All	3+ @ 850-900 nm, 4+ @ 900-950 nm, 5+ @ 950-1000 nm, 7+ @ 1000-1600 nm, 5+ @ 1600-2400 nm, 5+ @ 2940-10,600 nm

See also the main safety page, or our laser safety policies.

Last updated on Monday, 13-Mar-2006 .