Service manual

STP 11-25R13-SM-TG
T - 13
b. Laser Location. Laser equipment should be located in a work area away from heavily
populated areas, isolated from nonlaser equipment, and employee travel routes, and preferably be within
a fully enclosed room to prevent accidental exposure to personnel.
c. Control systems. Solid-state lasers, such as ruby pulsed devices, with high-power output
(megawatt and gigawatt range), should be operated in a closed installation by remote control firing with
television monitoring, if feasible, to eliminate the requirement for personnel to be in the same room with
the laser. An alternative is to enclose the laser and beam within a light-tight box.
d. Laser Fixtures. Maximum use will be made of mechanical/electronic blocks or physical barriers
to prevent anyone from directing the beam at an angle that could endanger personnel.
e. Firing Systems. Laser electronic-firing systems will be designed to prevent accidental pulsing
of a stored charge. The design will incorporate a fail-safe system for potentially hazardous lasers (TB
MED 279).
f. Warning Signs and Signals. Warning signs and signals will be used to indicate that laser
equipment is in operation, and attention will be drawn away from the equipment.
g. Direct Viewing. Direct viewing of laser beams is prohibited. Visual alignment of the beam
source will not be attempted while the power supply is energized.
h. Duration of Lasing. Equipment will be operated for the minimum time required for the specific
equipment. Laser light will not be used when other sources of illumination can be used.
i. Area Lighting. Whenever possible, lasers will be operated in well-lighted rooms. The damage
threshold for a dark-adapted eye is lower since the pupil is enlarged.
j. Reflections. While hazards from direct exposure to the laser beam are recognized, one may
not realize that beams reflected from an efficient mirror can be every bit as dangerous. This reflection
can be from such innocuous objects as doorknobs, polished tabletops, or walls. There is even the
possibility of eye damage from reflection of the laser beam from dust or other airborne particles. Any
exposure to reflected light from the laser beam would be eliminated, or suitable eye protection worn.
k. Screens. All screens used during laser demonstrations will be a diffusematte, preferably a
black lusterless paint. Every precaution will be taken to prevent any type of specula reflection during
such a demonstration.
l. Shielding.
(1) The light source (pumping light) of the solid-state laser must be shielded because of its high
intensity output, or personnel must be protected from exposure to the brilliant light flashes. Attention will
be given to experimental units where chassis may not be provided, or where chassis do not provide
complete enclosure around lenses, filters, etc., added to the experimental setup.
(2) Sources of light for pumping a crystal that gives off ultraviolet and infrared radiation must be
shielded.
(3) When exploding wire is used as a light source, personnel and equipment will be protected
against flying wire fragments.
(4) The flash tube housing will be sufficiently strong to contain the shrapnel if the flash tube
explodes.
m. Electrical Hazards.