02-11-2010, 03:42 PM
LASERS.ppt (Size: 717.5 KB / Downloads: 64)
Basic Laser Safety Training
Laser Fundamentals
The light emitted from a laser is monochromatic, that is, it is of one color/wavelength. In contrast, ordinary white light is a combination of many colors (or wavelengths) of light.
Lasers emit light that is highly directional, that is, laser light is emitted as a relatively narrow beam in a specific direction. Ordinary light, such as from a light bulb, is emitted in many directions away from the source.
The light from a laser is said to be coherent, which means that the wavelengths of the laser light are in phase in space and time. Ordinary light can be a mixture of many wavelengths.
These three properties of laser light are what can make it more hazardous than ordinary light. Laser light can deposit a lot of energy within a small area.