Abstract

The interest in eyesafe lasers stems from an ever increasing use of lasers in nonlaboratory environments. Examples of applications where lasers are being employed, and thus eyesafety is a concern, are lidar, wind sensing, and range finding. In the loosest sense, eyesafe wavelengths are considered to be those greater than 1.4 pm, as penetration to the retina does not occur at these wavelengths. However, the maximum permissible exposure, as set forth by the American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers,¹ indicates that the most eyesafe region lies between 1.5 and 1.8 pm.

© 1994 Optical Society of America