Laser Safety (Second Edition)

Book Preface

Some technologies come along and seem to capture the world. They are everywhere. The automobile is a good example. They were around for a few years as a novelty and then with the introduction of mass production they exploded across the world. I am sure the reader can think of some examples. To me the flat screen replacing the Cathode Ray Tube monitor is another example. Who would think they would grow into billboards and more.
The laser is another example. Thomas Maiman produced the Ruby Rod laser in 1960 and after several years of development of new types of lasers, laser technology has spread to all sectors of society.
1964 is the earliest date I am aware of for the first reported laser accident. The goal of this book is to not only explain and review the basics of laser safety, that is keeping the user, those around them and laser equipment free from harm, but to also go over a number of helpful topics.
Many of these topics seem to be so obvious one might wonder why they are here. The answer ‘Skill of the Craft’ just like ‘Common Sense’ is not as wide spread or known as one likes to think.
The contributing authors and I hope you find this book useful enough to suggest others to read it.
On this second edition
We have updated many of the sections and added supplemental information that the reader should find useful, as well as adding some new chapters for the readers consideration. Laser use has not been stagnant, rather new applications keep coming, and variations of previous applications such as different types of laser based microscopes just demonstrate that the impact of laser technology still adding to our world.

Ken Barat

I would like to acknowledge the contribution by the contributing authors. Patrick Bong , Karen Kelley, Tom MacMullian, Lisa Manglass, Randy Paura, Vince Staub and Michael Thomas. It is their chapters that help this text stand out from the traditional laser safety text book. I cannot thank them enough for their time and willingness to contribute to this effort. Special thanks to Pat Barat, who I am lucky enough to be married to.