Laser Safety and You

[@grendelum]

Working at a planetarium in college, when we worked on the laser bench (which was beautiful, info in a reply) the director’s idea of safety was to light a joint off the main beam so we always knew where the beams were !!

[@grendelum]

The laser bench we worked with consisted of a 10W mixed-gas white laser that hit a polarizing filter and then a 50-50 splitter... half of the beam went on to a PCOAM (PolyChromatic Optical Acoustic Modulator (a tiny crystal that vibrated at maximum plaid speed to refract the light into the desired color (all 16.7 million of them) at the desired time) and then on to an X-Y pair of scanner amps (this was the always preprogrammed part of the show). The other half hit a fixed prism to split the white into RGB and as they all refracted off in their own directions the green light hit another prism to split it into green and cyan. Eventually they were all directed into their own X-Y scanner amps tho we had a choice of 4 different preprogrammed channels to choose from for each color *and* many different sets of diffraction gratings, shower door glass etc that could be moved in front of each beam and rotated to provide a variety of effects. Add to that a (weird) controller that produced Spirograph type patterns (which we could see on an oscilloscope) and we had a 5th option for the RGCB beams. On top of all of that we had a wide variety of incandescent effects and a star projector... I do miss having the keys and alarm codes to that place... some wine, a blanket, 50kW surround sound all in air conditioned comfort...

[@TechIngredients]

You might take a look at some of our earlier videos on laser projectors (if you havn't already). We've built 6 of these solid state units and have done many shows including some in the room where we demonstrate the speakers. The general reaction is one I'm sure you're familiar with, but a very small number of the younger viewers continued on to work with optics in their education. Not sure if it made any difference, but who knows.

[@grendelum]

Tech Ingredients - funny enough my work at the planetarium had me “accidentally” get into the concert lighting industry (on my way to a job in San Francisco my car died in Boulder... went to a show with some friends I had there, saw they used the same High End lights we had, mentioned it to their Lighting Director who asked “wait, do you know how to program the controller?” I did... this was back in the days before software control and your interface with the lights was a joystick and number pad)... 23 years later and I’m still a touring LD for the same band that initially picked me up !!

[@mikem3695]

SCI ?

[@christopherleubner6633]

Met a few like that, firing it up on big water cooled argon lasers when setting a show up. I'm like nope, a bic is fine. The newer laser diodes are absolutely frightening from a safety standpoint, multiple watts af actinic blue light. It can bleach your retina without even direct exposure.

[@cynthiacavanaugh6458]

You are awesome! I like your methodical approach and matter-of-fact way of stating your points.

[@TechIngredients]

Thank you!

[@MarkBTomlinson]

Workshop safety especially on YouTub makes be cringe all too often. Nice to see someone taking it seriously.

[@christopherleubner6633]

Love that intro picture. Reminded me of Real Genious with the laser that beamed through everything. On a more serious note, the Special Protective Eyewear sets from a military surplus store is the cheapest. The green ones block 1064nm and deep red well, as well as blocking UV and CO2 lasers, the brown ones block the NIR and blue laser diode wavelengths too, but are a bit dark.

[@dissahc]

one of the hardest parts of building a DPSS laser. great advice, looking forward to more laser videos!

[@chengong388]

Those goggles look more expensive than the 5W laser pointer I'm holding in my hand while watching this video.

[@GodWasAnAlien]

Hopefully the ones you buy are too. I damn near blinded myself with the piece of crap pair I got with my Thor M2. Hit a spot of texturing on my ceiling with it and it flashed, had a case of welder's flash ever since. Luckily I don't think it got me too bad, but if this is the worst of it I also think I got extremely f'ing lucky, and had that texturing or whatever I hit had any more shine to it I'd have been screwed. Needless to say, I'm buying a few more pairs of goggles before I try the laser again. I had actually ordered an Eagle Pair set, but I really just wanted to try the thing out and make sure it worked. Can't believe I injured myself in the first 30 seconds with the damn thing.

[@everythingquads]

A whole video on laser safety. Perfect!

[@rudolfherwig7279]

Great demonstration and excellend explained. Thanks for making the video! 👍

[@e-clipslandscaping4367]

Could you please do a video on Making hydrogen through the process of electrolysis specifically what are the best materials for the anode and cathode going over high surface area low resistance and able to withstand corrosion as well what would be the best concentration of your catalyst, Thanks for the awesome videos keep up the hard work !

[@petea]

In my graduate school laser lab we had a device called Find-R-Scope.. expensive but indispensable. I worked with moderate power pulsed IR as well as visible lasers

[@TechIngredients]

I've used them. Have you used the simple IR detection cars as well?

[@petea]

@@TechIngredients Yes, we had an IR detector card too, very useful. I liked working in the laser lab, something about lining up lasers in a darkened room, listening to music, was a very calm and solitary kind of work that I really enjoyed.

[@TechIngredients]

We have a big laser project in the works. It'll be a few months, but I think you'll like it.

[@petea]

@@TechIngredients Awesome, looking forward to it - your videos are amazingly good!

[@omnianti0]

in 2018 their was a large range of spy / reverse car camera using infrared light the advantage they are so light and cheap they can be mounted on VR google mask for a total of 80$ with an power bank and stepup module you will have just few wire to connect

[@railgap]

After watching the 4w violet laser video, you sorta had a moral imperative to do something on laser safety. Sheesh.

[@gamerpaddy]

wearing video goggles with one camera per eye seems to be the safest goggles, until power runs out lol

[@amendment2concepts299]

Thank you !!

[@loonewoof9074]

Could we get link to where to buy those goggles?

[@bahadr4331]

Very good explained. Thank you.

[@thomasrobson6370]

Way back in the day (around 40 years ago when I was around 13 years old (more or less)), I use to be very interested in lasers. Reading stuff in PM & PS (articles and adds) and books from the library; I was at first ruby lasers until I found out they weren't like the lasers on Flash Gordon, Buck Rodgers (both original and remakes of the two), Star Wars, and the like. Then I learned about CO2 lasers, and pulsing the beam to increase their cutting ability, but at the time I would have to make the whole set up (back then (before the advent of the internet) it would have been an ordeal) so I just sort of gave up on it. Some time ago I saw a guy who made a n equivalent of a 22cal. carbine laser with store bought lasers, still not as I had envisioned but it was close.

[@rilosvideos877]

Are there laser safety goggles that can be recommended as an allrounder? Or do you always need specific glasses for specific wavelengths? What if you want to test an unknown laser or say a green one, coming from IR-laserdiode? There is always some IR coming through, a lot when you buy cheap lasers...

[@TechIngredients]

Not really. As you said, the different wavelengths need specific blocking, but you still need to pass light to be able to see. There are some goggles that will block a few wavelengths simultaneously, such as the 1064 nm fundamental and the frequency doubled green at 532. Don't skimp.

[@Sorenzo]

I have an idea... Smartphone goggles. Just take some cheap goggles, put a used smartphone on the outside of them or cut a slot for it, wrap the whole thing in opaque tape except the phone camera, and then look through the smartphone screen for full-colour real-time IR vision AND laser protection mounted right on your head.

[@omnianti0]

no it fail their is an IR cut lens for avoid the picture show pink colors you can test your smart phone by night by sighting an spy cam with ir led you will just see shome led but not any beam

[@travisbourque6914]

I was thinking maybe modify a vr headset

[@omnianti0]

@@travisbourque6914 yes but you will have to use a security camera designed for infrared light additionally it make you an active night vision mask i sugest a 5inch rear view camera + monitor for 25$

[@lol2496]

sooo a vr set without the vr?

[@TomKappeln]

I use night sights (cheap russian stereo ones) with a IR pass filter ... works great ... hands free.

[@motionsick]

Thanks.

[@harviecz]

Is there safe and easy way to confirm that protective goggles are proper match for my laser? Some people claim that cheap lasers produce various undocumented wavelengths, which might be a potential hazard to my eyes. I would like to be able to measure my glasses/filters before using the laser with them...

[@TechIngredients]

The formal answer would be to compare the specs from reputable dealers of glasses and lasers. A quick check would be to see if the glasses block the direct beam yourself. The one except would be with lases that produce infrared wavelengths even internally. The most common is the 532 nm KTP as well as it's YAG drive laser.

[@will2see]

4:06 you say that if I remove the IR filter from a webcam (CMOS sensor), I do a full spectrum mod. Ok, I've done this to my Canon EOS camera for astrophotography, but added a new UV-IR blocking filter with a larger spectral range so I can also capture the H-alpha emission line. Now, you say that a full spectrum modded camera lens can't focus the broad spectrum that the sensor is now sensitive to (400 - 1100nm), but then you talk about the security camera that is sensitive to NIR, uses lenses, but somehow doesn't have this problem with broad-spectrum focusing. How is it possible? Is it because the lens is more expensive - apochromatic even in NIR?

[@TechIngredients]

That's right. The apochromatic design can be extended into the near IR.

[@travisbourque6914]

I wonder if you could modify a vr headset with a small camera on the front to show you what your looking at through the headset

[@TechIngredients]

I bet you could.

[@southboundsuarez9832]

Problem with most headset contraptions are spatial dimension but even worse is latency add the two together and it is even worse. Try adding a camera to your FPV headset and now take a walk around your house or go into the kitchen and try cooking up some Mac n cheese or something. Definately a bull in a china shop.

[@johnnychang4233]

What about avoiding highly reflective materials at the end of the direction the laser is pointing to avoid ricochet?

[@TechIngredients]

That helps. Keep in mind that if the beam is not reflected then the surface will heat and this can change its reflective characteristics like when paint blisters.

[@johnnychang4233]

@@TechIngredients Thank You for taking time to answer a comment made on a video that is almost half a decade old. It's prove your commitment for safety awareness ;)

[@tonysnyman9500]

So you wanna call me safety steve? let me show you this hot burning mess you're going to look into.... lol. informative and good advice for those of us jumping in! thanks!

[@TechIngredients]

You're welcome.

[@Parax77]

Yes.. at 8:55 he puts his hand right through the beam... and at 9:37 passes the mains cable through the high power beam too.

[@tcl98387]

The fluence of the beam is low at that point because the beam is expanding. The portion of the beam he uses to burn the paper, just after the plano-convex lens, he would not put his hand in.

[@randomaster138]

It is a near IR laser, not well absorbed by the body. With skin as pale as his, assuming he doesn't focus it down onto a mole, short exposures are not going to hurt him much.

[@dwaynezilla]

I wonder if a cool-mist humidifier would be more-effective than a laundry steamer. I don't think anyone makes a hand-held ultrasonic element like that, but probably wouldn't be hard to hack together, hahah

[@TechIngredients]

They work as well. The steamer is convenient because it can be used intermittently where it is needed rather than depositing droplets over a large area.

[@curlyhairdudeify]

Can you use welding goggles to block UV 395 nm, and IR 660 nm?

[@TechIngredients]

Possibly, but not practically. The laser line goggles allow you to see room around you, but block the specific laser light. This can be even more challenging if the room is dark. Welding goggles will be so broadband that you may as well keep your eyes closed all the time. LCD welding protection that switches on and off is not nearly sensitive or fast enough.

[@streetsgold3509]

I enjoy your vids, but for a laser safety video the reflective windows/surfaces in a laser room are concerning.

[@TechIngredients]

They are also transparent. This would be even more of a problem with high energy lasers.

[@davegeorge7094]

ultrasonic water vaporizer is best, particle detector says 10ppm all over in no time. Watch your flesh on those monsters. Show detail on that 532 monster in close-up please.

[@WernerEngel1]

Finding a monitor with BNC Input is the much harder part of the work ... Have you found a cheap Interface to VGA?

[@TechIngredients]

Look for CCTV's. They are designed to work with BNC and component video inputs.

[@WernerEngel1]

THhank you! I just have so many unused pc monitors ...

[@fromtheusawithlove]

Amazon. under 20.00 US. Look for "CCTV Camera BNC S Video VGA to Laptop Computer PC VGA Monitor Converter Adapter Box"

[@EggBastion]

Ahh, the 'magic words'. Thank you

[@procactus9109]

So if the goggles take in 1 million to 1 of the light, and that light is meant to burn stuff. How long do you really get in the worst case, someone points a 20watt laser at your face ?

[@TechIngredients]

Spread out over your whole face, 20 will feel like a gentle warmth. That is about one solar intensity. 20 uW in your eye is below the safe limit. Depending on the goggles and whether they reflect as well as absorb and the actual beam intensity, the answer could be indefinitely, but the details matter...a lot.

[@davidraborn3654]

Great vid. Saftey first.

[@PatrickInCayman]

What about building a set of goggles that uses tiny cameras and project them into a screen inside the goggles, kinda like a VR goggle set?

[@TechIngredients]

Thats not a bad idea, but there are trade offs. The cameras are sensitive to the laser light as well. The head set would be very expensive. The single camera I use is inexpensive in part because it is a relatively large security camera. However, your suggestion would be more convenient.

[@boarattackboar]

Hi, great video. Could you please recommend me some laser safety goggles that will cover 808, 1064 and 532nm at the same time. The last pair I ordered were terrible, Its a good thing I tested them with an ir camera because the coatings didnt even go to the edge of the lenses! 532nm up to 5w and 808nm up to 40w is what ill be needing them for. Thanks for any help you can offer.

[@Exachad]

www.survivallaser.com/Eagle_Pair__190-540nm___800-1700nm_OD5_Laser_Safety_Goggles/p556088_11309234.aspx

[@carrotbailey]

😎MY MAN

[@marklewis4793]

Zef shades!

[@csplinter]

haha. Digging that I can see the Audacity waveform of the recording in the background. Also this comes to mind kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqLVo5yBmNypors

[@unknown-me6hu]

What’s funny is that I just got a laser and I was pointing it at my security camera and that was the first thing I noticed and thought was very cool. That I can see the laser beam. But come to find out I burned my camera. Not sure what happened? Maybe the film got burned or the pixels idk 🤷‍♂️ but it was cool wile it lasted 😅

[@randomaster138]

burned right through the sensor, be careful with that laser.

[@unknown-me6hu]

@@randomaster138 lol yeah ilearned my lesson an exspensive one lol

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

The one question you didn't answer: What's In The Vise?

[@TechIngredients]

Just a piece of wood supporting a high temperature backstop for the beam.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

@@TechIngredients Ah...I thought it was some super-secret project not ready for prime time. Thanks for the great videos!

[@DanBowkley]

There's the solution to seeing your beam...let it light something on fire, the smoke will give you enough backscatter. Problem solved! 😁

[@TechIngredients]

Now why didn't I think of that?

[@davegeorge7094]

like styropyro.

[@ابوهشام-م4ث]

لو سمحت ممكن ترجمة للغة العربية

[@ابوهشام-م4ث]

نريد ترجمت وشكرا

[@sonyxperiasmk]

Inexpensive? Lmao. Some of them cost 100 bucks or more. More then the actual laser.

[@TechIngredients]

What are your eyes worth?

[@ihrbekommtmeinenrichtigennamen]

I've "seen" 1064nm infrared light as a very deep red before (I was careless). Apparently, that's just what happens if the intensity is high enough. But... do you know how high?

[@TechIngredients]

I don't, but I've experienced the same phenomenon.