By Joshua Hadler Using a low-cost apparatus designed to quickly and accurately measure the properties of hand-held laser devices, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) researchers tested 122 laser pointers and found that nearly 90 percent of green pointers and about 44 percent of red pointers tested were out of compliance with federal safety […]
Laser Editorials
Challenges of the Medical Laser Safety Officer
By June Curley As a perioperative nurse working in the operating room of a Level 1 trauma center, I want to share some of the challenges of implementing a laser safety program and inspire new Laser Safety Officers (LSOs) to develop systems that will assist them with enforcing laser safety compliance. First, I recommend Medical […]
Laser Institute of America’s Unique, Focused Events a Vital Resource for the Photonics Community
June 21, 2013, ORLANDO, Fla. — There’s a never a dull moment in the life of the Laser Institute of America. Since 1968, LIA has been at the forefront of advocating for advanced laser applications and user safety. That’s never more evident than at LIA’s premiere industry events. Each of LIA’s conferences and workshops is meticulously […]
3D Surface Texturing Technology Using Ultrashort Pulsed Lasers
By Max Groenendijk Ultrashort pulsed lasers have proven to be excellent tools to fabricate micro and nanotextured surfaces. These surfaces have a high potential for several applications where the tiny surface textures can improve or add a specific functional property. It was at ICALEO® 2006 that we first demonstrated a super hydrophobic surface obtained by […]
Advanced Laser Applications & Sources – A National Focus
By Geoff Giordano With photonics-driven manufacturing innovation becoming a hot topic in the nation’s capital, advanced laser applications — particularly in aerospace, automobiles, agriculture and energy production — are getting a bigger share of the spotlight. From gas and steam turbines to pipelines and passenger jets, even underwater welding in nuclear reactors (see LAM 2013 wrap […]