2009-02-19

Guideline: Laser Pointer Guidelines

Laser pointers should be labelled a class I or class II laser product. Class III laser pointers should not be used.
A laser pointer is not a toy. Keep out of reach of children and juveniles.
Never point the laser pointer at people.
Misuse of a laser pointer may cause discomfort glare. Viewing the laser beam may cause a temporary blindness and an after image that is disturbing to the victim. Deliberately staring into a laser beam may cause retinal damage.
The pointer should only be used to point out inanimate objects, such as slide images etc.
Avoid shining on mirror-like targets and objects.
Never view the laser beam with any optical instrument, unless approved by the Laser Safety Officer.
Take the batteries out when not in use to avoid accidental exposures.

http://policies.anu.edu.au/guidelines/laser_pointer_guidelines/guideline

6 Fantastic Laser Pointer Projects

Burning lasers, keychain lasers, 1000 watt lasers…We love them all. Everyone enjoys the green, red, or even blue glow of lasery goodness. We’ve found six outstanding projects using lasers you don’t want to miss.

Learn how to make your own home laser show for dirt cheap.
Make a laser projector with a custom stand.
Kipkay has a few videos on how to create burning red and blue lasers.

http://www.hacknmod.com/hack/6-fantastic-laser-pointer-projects/

STATEMENT ON THE USE OF LASER POINTERS

Laser pointers have been used in lecture theatres for a number of years and when used in a responsible manner they can be an effective tool. Recently, due to price reductions, these devices have been marketed widely as novelty items and complaints have been received of their inappropriate use by some attendees during lectures.

Laser Hazards

Lasers, an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation are an extremely bright source of light. A 1 mW visible laser is about one million times more brilliant than a 100 watt light bulb and such light can, under certain conditions, cause damage to the eye. Lasers are classified into four main classes to identify the risk associated with them. Class 1 represents the least hazardous where exposure of the eye to direct or reflected beams is not expected to produce any damage. Class 2 lasers have an output of up to 1 mW and do not damage the eye when the exposure to the eye does not exceed 250 milliseconds. This is normally the time that it takes to react to a bright source of light and close one's eye (the blink reflex). Class 3 lasers are subdivided into Class 3A (output < 5mW) and Class 3B (output > 5mW). Class 3 and 4 lasers can damage the eye in a time less than the blink reflex and because of this Class 3B and 4 lasers are subject to strict controls under the University's laser safety program.

Class 1 lasers are not sufficiently bright to be of use as pointers and therefore laser pointers are Class 2 or Class 3A. The latter emit up to 5 milliwatts and they will produce exposures that can damage the eye faster than one can blink. The United Kingdom has banned the sale of Class 3A laser pointers although they are legal in Canada and the United States. A number of State and local governments in the U.S. have enacted regulations to limit the use of Class 3A pointers.

Exposure of a person's eyes to a momentary sweep of a Class 2 or Class 3 laser beam can result in temporary flash blindness, afterimage and glare which can be particularly dangerous if the individual is engaged in a vision-critical activity. There are documented cases of retinal damage following multi-second exposures to Class 3A laser pointers.

Safety Precautions

Recognize that Class 2 and Class 3A laser pointers are not toys and that Class 3A lasers in particular can cause damage to the eye;
Only purchase pointers where the output power, laser hazard classification and a warning about potential eye hazard are shown on a label or included in the instructions for use;
Unless needed for a specific purpose, avoid the purchase of Class 3A laser pointers;
It is recommended that only pointers which have a maximum Class 2 labeling (less than 1 mW) be used with wavelength between 630 and 680 nm; purchase a shorter wavelength laser if given the choice: a 1 mW laser at 630 nm will appear much brighter than a 5 mW laser at 670 nm;
Never look directly into the laser beam;
Never aim the pointer at people or at reflective surfaces;
Only purchase pointers that stay on only while you apply pressure to it with your fingers;
Misuse

Improper use of a laser pointer by failing to follow the safety precautions can cause eye damage and such practice is not acceptable. Improper use may create conditions that endanger the health or safety of others, and includes disruption of classes through playful scanning of beams, even though no injury results. Those misusing laser pointers may be subject to disciplinary procedures under the Code of Student Conduct or the appropriate staff policies or be subject to possible legal action if injury results.

http://www.ehs.utoronto.ca/services/laserpg/laserptr.htm

2009-02-18

LASER POINTER

Laser pointers can be an effective aid to communication by allowing the user to point out objects, signs or symbols on a message board communicator.

The laser can be worn with the supplied headband or glasses clip, or can be attached to any part of the body as required.

Most lasers on the market do not have an ON/OFF switch that is easily accessable. To overcome this problem Technical Solutions has developed a Flexi Control Module which controls the switching of the laser pointer.

CONTROL MODULE
The control module allows you to use any of our special purpose switches to turn the laser on and off. It also supplies power to the laser pointer.

http://www.tecsol.com.au/LaserPointer.htm

Aussie laser-pointer dazzle attacks on airliners:

Australian politicians are demanding restrictions on the ownership of laser pointers in the land down under. The banning calls follow a series of widely-reported incidents in which individuals on the ground have attempted to dazzle pilots of commercial aircraft making approaches to landing.

A particularly troublesome dazzling attack took place last Friday, involving at least four comparatively-powerful green laser pointers in the Bexley area of Sydney. Six passenger flights were affected, with air-traffic controllers having to re-route the planes.

"The use of these laser pointers against aeroplanes is unbelievably stupid and cannot be tolerated," Australian Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I cannot say what the motivation of this extraordinarily irresponsible behaviour has been - there are a range of possibilities from vandalism and stupidity through to outright criminality.

"There is every reason to treat these devices as if they are firearms and respond with that kind of severity."

Laser-dazzling harassment of aircraft in Australia is a common problem, with official spokesmen saying that five to six incidents are typically reported each week.

New South Wales Police Minister David Campbell said that the state might ban laser pointers.

"There are some penalties that police can impose now, but we're looking to make these items a prohibited weapon in certain circumstances," he told the Herald.

Some green laser pointers are significantly more powerful than ordinary red ones, with expensive models putting out enough energy to pop a balloon at close range. Their effects against aircraft, however, are purely a matter of dazzling the pilots. There has been military interest in "non-lethal" laser weapons intended for just this sort of attack, or perhaps ones which might permanently blind enemies - though purpose-built blinding weapons are banned by international convention.

In Canada, there has recently been a debate over government plans to trial dazzler technology in Afghanistan, as an alternative to deadly force; Canadian troops are committed in the dangerous southern areas of Afghanistan, and have been compelled to open fire many times. In general, however, the huge amounts of negative publicity resulting from non-lethal weapons has made armed forces and police reluctant to get seriously involved.

America has also seen lasering of airline pilots, with the Feds deploying Patriot Act measures against suspected dazzler terrorists a couple of years back.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/03/australian_airliner_laser_attacks/

2009-02-13

Man arrested on suspicion of aiming laser at helicopter

The pilot of the sheriff's helicopter was flying above Rancho Santa Margarita at 10:37 p.m. when he became distracted by a laser beam that was hitting the helicopter, Lt. Ted Boyne of the Orange County Sheriff's Department said.
The helicopter remained in the area and was targeted by the same beam of light three times before the pilot was able to track the origin of the beam to an apartment complex on Via Amistosa, Boyne said.
"They have the ability to track them down to the bedroom," Boyne said.
A deputy led to the apartment building by the helicopter found Mitchell Cruz Re. The deputy talked to Re, and he admitted to pointing a laser at the helicopter, Boyne said.
Deputies searched Re, and reported finding a small quantity of methamphetamine, he said.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/helicopter-beam-laser-2307673-year-old