. The beam of light emitted from a laser device is normally very narrow, usually less than an inch in diameter. However, over long distances, the beam progressively becomes wider. For a military laser, the beam is typically 1 meter in diameter at a distance of 1 kilometer and 2 meters in diameter at a distance of 2 kilometers. Thus, a laser can irradiate the whole body at these distances. If the energy of the laser is high enough, such exposures could burn clothing, skin, or any part of the body exposed to the beam. Most lasers, however, are not powerful enough to generate burns. Because the eye focuses and concentrates whatever light that enters the eye, it is extremely sensitive to injury from almost any type of laser device. The concentration of energy which is focused onto the back of the eye can be 100,000 times greater than the energy which enters at the front of the eye. Thus depending upon the type of laser, the energy output of the laser, and the distance from the laser, a spectrum of injuries can be expected. These may range from very tiny lesions in the back of the eye to severe burns affecting vast portions of the body. See Appendix A for principal wavelengths of common lasers. https://rdl.train.army.mil/catalog/view/100.ATSC/824E9977-6FF5-41A3-8162-FD988F0CF341-1274314037494/8-50/INTRO.htm
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 19:37:29 +0000
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