MatchBox® series | User Manual
<$chapnum>-7
7
1.3: Optical Safety
Light, emitted from a laser source, features hazardous properties, as
compared to conventional light sources, such as: luminescent bulbs, light
emitting diodes and etc. It is important for users or other persons
approaching to laser systems, to know the dangers involved. Only users,
who are familiar with laser safety should use laser systems, this way the
risks of laser radiation related accidents would be minimized.
MatchBox lasers are Class 3B laser products with rare exceptions of
Class 4. Different models are arranged to emit up to 500 mW of visible or
invisible (infrared) radiation.
The radiation is hazardous if the eye is exposed directly to the beam or to
it’s specular reflection. The risk of permanent eye damage or even
blindness increases due to longer exposure time.
Diffuse reflections as those from paper or other matte surfaces are
typically not harmful if observed at a distance of 1 m (3 ft) or larger.
The use of eye protection when operating a MatchBox laser is necessary
if at any circumstances the laser beam could be exposed to an eye
directly or through a specular reflection.
Eye protection in the form of spectacles or goggles is preferred to be with
appropriate wavelength filtering. For example, spectacles absorbing
waves of spectral region from 180 to 532 nm are suitable to work with e.g.
405 nm, 457 nm, 473 nm, 488 nm, 491 nm, 515 nm and 532 nm
MatchBox lasers. However, these spectacles shouldn’t be used to filter
561 nm, 593 nm waves or radiation in the red and infrared regions.
Protective eyewear provides another significant advantage - when
working in dark rooms, laser radiation could haze user’s eyes even if it is
observed from diffuse reflections. Properly chosen eyewear definitely
reduce or even eliminate such haze and extend productive hours.
