Lasers for Dummies

Learn more about Wicked Lasers

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What is a laser?
What are lasers used for?
What is wavelength?
How does wavelength affect laser visibility?
What do you mean by laser radiation? Does it cause cancer?

6. Does laser radiation make things radioactive?

7. What do the different classifications of lasers mean?
8. What is output power and how does it affect laser visibility?
9. Why do more powerful handheld lasers cost more?
10. Why do green lasers cost more than red lasers?
11. Why are green lasers better than red lasers?
12. Why are lasers uniquely hazardous?
13. Safety
14. Using your laser
15. Maintenance
What is a laser?
Laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
A laser is a device that projects a highly concentrated narrow beam of light which is amplified to
great brightness using stimulated radiation.

What are lasers used for?

Lasers are used for a variety of purposes including pointing out objects during a presentation,
aligning materials at construction sites and in the home, and by doctors for cosmetic and surgical
procedures. Many items you encounter on a daily basis use lasers, including CD and DVD
players; bar code scanners; dental drills; laser-guided tools, such as levels; and laser pointers
What is wavelength?
Our eyes are sensitive to light which lies in a very small region of the electromagnetic spectrum
labeled "visible light". This visible light corresponds to a wavelength range of 400 - 700
nanometers (nm) and a color range of violet through red. The human eye is not capable of
"seeing" radiation with wavelengths outside the visible spectrum. The visible colors from shortest
to longest wavelength are: violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Ultraviolet radiation has a
shorter wavelength than the visible violet light. Infrared radiation has a longer wavelength than
visible red light. The white light is a mixture of the colors of the visible spectrum. Black is a total
absence of light.
How does wavelength affect laser visibility?
In non-technical terms, the closer the wavelength is to 555nm, the brighter it will appear relative
to other colors of the same power. The brightest color is green, followed by red, then blue, then
violet.

What do you mean by laser radiation? Does it go through the body or

cause cancer?
Some lasers emit radiation in the form of light. Others emit radiation that is invisible to the eye,
such as ultraviolet or infrared radiation. In general, laser radiation is not in itself harmful, and
behaves much like ordinary light in its interaction with the body. Laser radiation should not be
confused with radio waves, microwaves, or the ionizing x-rays or radiation from radioactive
substances such as radium.

Does laser radiation make things radioactive?

The use of the term radiation has occasionally led to a misconception that lasers make things
radioactive. Normal applications do not have powerful enough beams to exceed the energy
threshold for this. Only a few large research lasers have the ability to potentially make target
materials slightly radioactive. The term radiation is used because the beam radiates out from the
laser.

What do the different classifications of lasers mean?

Four major hazard classes (I to IV), including two subclasses (IIIa and IIIb), of lasers--ranging from
those that pose no known hazard to those that pose serious danger if used improperly. The
higher the class, the more powerful the laser is.
Class

Laser Hazard

Laser usually contained within Laser printers

the product and considered
CD players
non- hazardous.
DVD players
Visible laser or laser system thatBar code scanners
cannot cause eye damage
unless viewed directly for an
extended period of time, or
with magnifiers, binoculars, or
telescopes.
Laser that normally does not
Laser pointers
present a risk of injury if viewed
momentarily with an unaided
eye, but may present a greater
risk if viewed using magnifiers,
binoculars, or telescopes.

II
IIa

IIIa

Product Examples

IIIb
Laser can cause eye damage if
Laser light shows
viewed directly
Industrial lasers
Research lasers
IV
Laser may cause severe eye
Laser light shows
injury with short duration
Industrial lasers
exposure to the direct or
Research lasers
reflected beam. May also cause
severe skin damage and
present a fire hazard.
What is output power and how does it affect laser visibility?
The technical definition of output power as it relates to laser products is the power level of the
laser beam. This is expressed in 'less than milliwatts (<mW)'; a unit of power equal to one onethousandth of a watt. A higher output power is brighter than a lower output power. For example,
a 650nm @ <5mW laser product is brighter than a 650nm @ <1mW laser product.
Why do more powerful handheld lasers cost more?
Not every laser we buy from our suppliers produces the same output level. The key is the KTP
crystal (KTiOPO4). A crystal with good efficiency produces a more powerful beam than a lessefficient crystal using the same current. You can compare this with two gasoline engines, one
more efficient than the other. Although they both burn the same amount of gas, the more
efficient engine produces more horsepower and is therefore more valuable.
The more efficient KTP crystals are likewise more valuable so we must charge more for our lasers
that use them.

Why do green lasers cost more than red lasers?

We use more efficient KTP crystals in our green lasers. Green lasers also have more components
and better laser diodes. Therefore the green lasers cost more than red lasers.
Why are green lasers better than red lasers?
The human eye is far more sensitive to green than red. If you were to view a red and green laser
of equal power side by side, the green laser would appear far brighter than the red one.
Why are lasers uniquely hazardous?
Two characteristics of laser light contribute to the hazard:

Laser light can be emitted in a tight beam that does not grow in size at a distance
from the laser. This means that the same degree of hazard can be present both
close to and far from the laser.
The eye can focus a laser beam to a very small, intense spot on its retina, which
can result in a burn or blind spot.

Safety
1. Avoid looking directly into the laser beam of your laser or pointing the beam at any other
person or animals. Note that not all laser beams are visible to the naked eye. Our Laser
is design to illustrate inanimate objects ONLY.
2. Do not point the laser beam at mirror-like surfaces. A reflected beam can act like a direct
beam on your eye.
3. Should you have trouble operating the laser properly and dummies does not work,
contact support@wickedlasers.com for support. Do not attempt to service or fix the device
yourself at any time.
4. Do not disassemble the laser (doing so will also void your warranty) and do not attempt to
service it yourself or operate it under abnormal condition.
5. Never view a laser beam using an optical instrument, such as binocular or a microscope.
6. Our Class IIIb handheld lasers are not toys and should not be used without appropriate
precautions.
7. Class IIIb laser can produce a hazard if viewed directly.
8. Any laser used for entertainment, display, demonstrations or any related use intended for
public viewing (indoor or outdoors) shall be operated in accordance with the laws of your
country.
9. Observe all safety precautions with the laser that you would observe with a loaded
firearm.
Caution: Class IIIb lasers produce sufficient amount of energy to cause personal injury and start
fires. Certified laser safety eyewear required when using these products.
Using your laser
For the compact pen sized laser pointers there is an unlimited duty cycle, however we
recommend 100 seconds on and 100 seconds off to optimize diode lifetime. For the larger
Spyder III Series the duty cycle is 100% constant on with no harm to the laser module.
Maintenance

Clean the lens of your laser with the Wicked Lasers Lens Pen or a dry soft cloth.
Our laser contains no user serviceable parts. Opening the enclosure will void the

warranty.

Our laser is not designed for use in extreme temperature and environments.

Laser should be turned off when not in immediate use.