WF-360TL Laser System Hazard Evaluation
Abstract
Misuse of a commercial hand-held laser illuminator led to the US Coast Guard's first documented laser eye injury. As a result of this incident and planned use of several new laser systems, the Coast Guard asked the Optical Radiation Division (AL/OEO, Brooks AFB, TX) to assist with a coordinated health risk assessment of three laser systems for use by Coast Guard aviation. This report documents evaluation of a WF-360TL aircraft mounted, near infrared (810 nm wavelength) laser illuminator. The main purposes of our evaluation were to: measure laser output parameters, determine eye and skin hazard potential, and provide advice for safe operation and maintenance of this system. Our output parameter measurements agreed well with the system manufacturer's (Westinghouse Electro-Optical Systems, FL) measurements. AL/OEO measurement results were as follows: 4.5 W average output power, 1.5 mm (horizontal) by 9.0 mm (vertical) exit beam spot size, and 85 mrad (horizontal) by 66 mrad (vertical) far field beam divergence at the 1/e intensity points. Hazard parameters based on worst case output parameters were as follows: 6.9 m (23 ft) Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance, 4.5 Optical Density at 810 nm requirement for laser eye protection, and a skin hazard distance of 0.5 m (1.6 ft).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA333234
Entities
People
- Kenneth S. Keppler
Organizations
- Armstrong Laboratory