A New Method for Repetitively-Pulsed Laser Protection Standards
Abstract
The present method for evaluating repetitive pulse lasers in based primarily on data taken for a fixed exposure time (0.5 s). The biological effect from these studies was interpreted to be a function of the pulse repetition frequency when in fact this same effect could just as well have been plotted against the total number of pulses in the pulse train. It is the opinion of this author that the reason several pulses cause retinal injury when a retinal lesion is not observed from a single pulse of the same energy is that microscopic cell changes partially combine together to cause visible injury. The additivity method offers a more logical approach for evaluating repeated exposures from short pulsed laser devices. A uniform safely margin may be maintained for multiple pulse and single pulses from the same laser device. Permissible exposures to a very few pulses or to coded pulses may be easily calculated by this method. Most importantly, an adequate margin of safety may be maintained for all repetitively-pulsed lasers. Keywords: Laser damage; Laser hazards; Radiation protection; Standards: Exposure limits.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA203941
Entities
People
- Wesley J. Marshall
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Command