Resources - THORLABS TIBERIUS User Manual

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Tiberius Tunable Femtosecond Ti:Sapphire Laser
Class 4 lasers such as the Tiberius may cause damage to the skin, and also to the eye, even from the viewing of
diffuse reflections. These hazards may also apply to indirect or non-specular reflections of the beam, even from
apparently matte surfaces. Great care must be taken when handling these lasers. They also represent a fire risk,
because they may ignite combustible material.
Safe practices and proper usage of safety equipment should be taken into consideration when operating lasers.
The eye is susceptible to injury, even from very low levels of laser light. Laser emission in the visible and near
infrared spectral ranges has the greatest potential for retinal injury, as the cornea and lens are transparent to
those wavelengths, and the lens can focus the laser energy onto the retina.
1. Follow all safety precautions in the operator's manual.
2. Never aim the laser at a person's eyes, skin, or clothes.
3. Always use proper laser safety eyewear. Because the Tiberius is intended for use in an optical system,
appropriate levels of attenuation depend on the details of said system. See the Resources section of this
chapter for sources of laser safety information. The necessary information regarding power, wavelength,
and pulse duration can be found on the laser safety labels.
4. Avoid wearing watches, jewelry, or other objects that may reflect or scatter the laser beam.
5. Wear clothing to cover skin that might be inadvertently exposed to the beam.
6. Keep the laser beam paths above or below eye level for both sitting and standing positions.
7. Ensure that individuals do not look directly into a laser beam.
8. Eliminate all unnecessary reflective surfaces from the vicinity of the laser beam path.
9. Ensure that all individuals who operate Class 4 lasers are trained in laser safety and authorized to
operate a laser. Do not leave a running laser unattended if there is a chance that an unauthorized user
may attempt to operate the laser. A key switch should be used if untrained persons may gain access to
the laser. A warning light or buzzer should be used to indicate when the laser is operating.
10. Use low power settings, beam shutters, and laser output filters to reduce the beam power to less
hazardous levels when the full output power is not required.
11. Make sure that spectators are not exposed to hazardous conditions.
12. Operate the laser only in a well-controlled area (for example, within a closed room with covered or filtered
windows and controlled access).
13. Label laser area and room with appropriate Class 4 laser warning signs.
14. Mount the laser on a firm support to ensure that the beam travels along the intended path.
15. Do not move the Tiberius Laser Head during operation except as noted in the installation instructions.
16. Because of its weight (see specifications), the Tiberius Laser Head should always be lifted by two people
using proper lifting technique. Refer to appropriate regulations, standards, and/or workplace resources for
instructions on proper technique.
2.3.

Resources

Safety of laser products –
Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements
IEC 60825-1:2014
ISBN 978-2-8322-1499-2
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR LIGHT-EMITTING PRODUCTS
21 C.F.R. §1040
Laser Safety Guide
Laser Institute of America
ISBN 978-1-940168-03-6
www.lia.org/store/product/laser-safety-guide
Chapter 2: Safety
Page 5