LASER SAFETY OFFICER TEST WITH CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS #18
Radiant Energy - correct answer Energy that is emitted, transferred or received.
Measured in Joules
Radiant Power - correct answer Power emitted, transferred, or received in the form of
radiation. Measured in Watts
Irradiance - correct answer Radiant power striking a surface divided by the area it is
striking W/cm2
Radiant Exposure - correct answer Exposure over a particular area divided by the area
it is striking W/cm2
What does Laser stand for? - correct answer Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission
of Radiation
What does a laser consist of? - correct answer A Pumping System - What imparts
energy to the atoms of the lasing medium
An Optical Cavity - Contains the medium, has mirrors and provides
amplification/selection of photons
Laser medium - Can be solid state (ND:YAG), gaseous (hene, CO2, Ar,Kr), dye lasers
(Rhodamine 6G), and semiconductor
What are the four modes of laser operation? - correct answer Continuous Wave - Beam
time over 0.25s
Single Pulsed -
Single Pulsed Q-switched - stored to increase power before release
Repetitively pulsed - Pulsed repetitively
The different time modes provide different rates at which energy is delivered
What are three characteristics of a laser beam - correct answer They are single
wavelength (monochromatic) that are tightly in phase with each other (coherent), and
they are tightly focused (collimated)
What are the two main US Government agencies involved in laser regulation? - correct
answer OSHA and FDA
What AFI covers the Laser Radiation protection program - correct answer AFI 48-139,
we also use ANSI 136.1
What constitutes a class 1 laser? - correct answer Cannot emit laser radiation capable
of causing eye/skin injury.
A 1M is similar, but can cause damage if passed through magnifying optics.
These may be a higher class during maintenance/service
, What constitutes a class 2 laser? - correct answer 2 - Staring into beam is an eye
hazard. CW max 1mw
2M - Potentially hazardous if collecting optics are used;
CW max 500mw
These lasers are in the visible light spectrum 400-700nm
What constitutes a class 3 laser? - correct answer 3R - Marginally unsafe for direct and
specular viewing.
CW max 5mw
3B - Unsafe for direct and specular viewing. Usually not unsafe for diffuse viewing. CW
max = 500mw
What constitutes a class 4 laser? - correct answer Exposure to direct and scattered
beam can cause eye/skin damage. Continuous wave power >0.5W. It is a fire hazard
What is an Excimer Laser? - correct answer Excited Dimer. It is operated using a
reactive gas that is put into an excited state
What are some characteristics for common gas lasers? - correct answer hene - 633nm
wavelength. Used in many consumer products
Ar,Kr,Xe - 322-799nm wavelengths. Ar has the highest visible power levels. Stable high
output up to 20W.
CO2 - Most efficient (10%-30% efficient) and powerful CW lasers. >30W at Far-IR.
What are some characteristics for solid state lasers - correct answer Generally an active
medium of crystal doped with an impure ion. Can have very high outputs (2000W)
Semiconductor diode laser - correct answer Used in many applications to include
spectroscopy, communication, scanners, etc. Most common is a gallium-arsenide
junction which emits a fan shaped beam at 840 nm.
Dye Lasers - correct answer The medium is a dye. Emits UV to near IR-Spectrum range
of beams. These are tunable lasers.
What are the common hazards in regards to laser usage? - correct answer The most
common hazard is from the beam. The most common injuries are eye and skin damage
due to thermal effects. Class 4 laser systems can also place things on fire.
What are common non-beam laser hazards? - correct answer IH - Compressed gases/
toxic materials and noise.
Explosion Hazards -
Non-beam Optical Hazards - UV radiation
Enclosure flammability
Collateral Radiation
Electrical Hazards
VERIFIED ANSWERS #18
Radiant Energy - correct answer Energy that is emitted, transferred or received.
Measured in Joules
Radiant Power - correct answer Power emitted, transferred, or received in the form of
radiation. Measured in Watts
Irradiance - correct answer Radiant power striking a surface divided by the area it is
striking W/cm2
Radiant Exposure - correct answer Exposure over a particular area divided by the area
it is striking W/cm2
What does Laser stand for? - correct answer Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission
of Radiation
What does a laser consist of? - correct answer A Pumping System - What imparts
energy to the atoms of the lasing medium
An Optical Cavity - Contains the medium, has mirrors and provides
amplification/selection of photons
Laser medium - Can be solid state (ND:YAG), gaseous (hene, CO2, Ar,Kr), dye lasers
(Rhodamine 6G), and semiconductor
What are the four modes of laser operation? - correct answer Continuous Wave - Beam
time over 0.25s
Single Pulsed -
Single Pulsed Q-switched - stored to increase power before release
Repetitively pulsed - Pulsed repetitively
The different time modes provide different rates at which energy is delivered
What are three characteristics of a laser beam - correct answer They are single
wavelength (monochromatic) that are tightly in phase with each other (coherent), and
they are tightly focused (collimated)
What are the two main US Government agencies involved in laser regulation? - correct
answer OSHA and FDA
What AFI covers the Laser Radiation protection program - correct answer AFI 48-139,
we also use ANSI 136.1
What constitutes a class 1 laser? - correct answer Cannot emit laser radiation capable
of causing eye/skin injury.
A 1M is similar, but can cause damage if passed through magnifying optics.
These may be a higher class during maintenance/service
, What constitutes a class 2 laser? - correct answer 2 - Staring into beam is an eye
hazard. CW max 1mw
2M - Potentially hazardous if collecting optics are used;
CW max 500mw
These lasers are in the visible light spectrum 400-700nm
What constitutes a class 3 laser? - correct answer 3R - Marginally unsafe for direct and
specular viewing.
CW max 5mw
3B - Unsafe for direct and specular viewing. Usually not unsafe for diffuse viewing. CW
max = 500mw
What constitutes a class 4 laser? - correct answer Exposure to direct and scattered
beam can cause eye/skin damage. Continuous wave power >0.5W. It is a fire hazard
What is an Excimer Laser? - correct answer Excited Dimer. It is operated using a
reactive gas that is put into an excited state
What are some characteristics for common gas lasers? - correct answer hene - 633nm
wavelength. Used in many consumer products
Ar,Kr,Xe - 322-799nm wavelengths. Ar has the highest visible power levels. Stable high
output up to 20W.
CO2 - Most efficient (10%-30% efficient) and powerful CW lasers. >30W at Far-IR.
What are some characteristics for solid state lasers - correct answer Generally an active
medium of crystal doped with an impure ion. Can have very high outputs (2000W)
Semiconductor diode laser - correct answer Used in many applications to include
spectroscopy, communication, scanners, etc. Most common is a gallium-arsenide
junction which emits a fan shaped beam at 840 nm.
Dye Lasers - correct answer The medium is a dye. Emits UV to near IR-Spectrum range
of beams. These are tunable lasers.
What are the common hazards in regards to laser usage? - correct answer The most
common hazard is from the beam. The most common injuries are eye and skin damage
due to thermal effects. Class 4 laser systems can also place things on fire.
What are common non-beam laser hazards? - correct answer IH - Compressed gases/
toxic materials and noise.
Explosion Hazards -
Non-beam Optical Hazards - UV radiation
Enclosure flammability
Collateral Radiation
Electrical Hazards
