Portable Laser Hazard Identification and Monitoring System

Laser beams present potentially serious hazards to the human eye. Retinal damage can occur for laser eye exposure to milliwatts power levels. The purpose of this proposed program is to develop a portable system for detecting and measuring radiant exposure resulting from laser beams, and to determine whether the detected radiant exposure levels exceed established maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits. Spire will utilize commercially available optical radiation detectors in combination with optical filters and appropriate optics to measure the direction and intensity of incoming laser beams, as well as to determine the spectral content of the laser beams and their temporal and radiant characteristics. These measured values will then be automatically compared to ANSI-established MPE limits so that appropriate warnings, together with summary laser characteristics information can alert personnel in the area. Phase I will demonstrate feasibility by completion of the basic system design, fabrication and laboratory demonstration of the primary system components and initial data accumulation electronics and associated software development. Phase II will implement the system design with the goal of comparing incoming laser radiation characteristics with established MPE limits for the various specified spectral bins. In addition to the obvious military personnel protection applications, potential commercial applications for this laser hazard identification and monitoring system fall into the areas of public transportation (protection of aircraft pilots, train, truck and bus operators, naval and commercial sea vessel personnel,) protection of public safety personnel as well as protection of groups or individuals subject to vandalism laser exposure.