Dazer Laser

The Dazer Laser - Light Fighting Technologies is a non-lethal ocular distraction and interruption device, or dazzler, which has been designed and engineered by Laser Energetics, Inc.^[1][2][3]

Eye studies confirmed that the commercially available Dazer Laser can be operated eye safe at all ranges beyond 1 meter, and is in fact safe to operate from very short to long distances and does not inflict any permanent eye damage.^[4] The study reports that the divergence and modulating effect of the laser allows the device to operate within the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The weapon emits a dispersing "modulating pool of green light"^[5] that is effective and safe from as close as three feet and as far as a mile-and-a-half away. Following positive results, General Dynamics Corporation was awarded a $2.6 million contract to manufacture the Dazer Laser Defender and Dazer Laser Guardian on June 15, 2010.^[6]

Technology

The Dazer Laser - Light Fighting Technologies is different than the typical fixed focus laser systems that its class competitors in the marketplace of dazzling and ocular distraction and interruption devices use.^[4] The DPSS GreenStar Laser, with Provisional Patent Application No. 61/348,312 US Patent and Trademark office, encompasses a new type of Diode Pumped Solid State, 532 nm, class IIIb, Green Laser that produces a 24% conversion efficiency along with maximum powers of over 500 mWatts (recorded max power of 511 mW). The GreenStar laser provides a simultaneous mix of Pulse Width Modulation and Continuous Wave operation both day and night without overheating, unlike other dazzling devices that need to be operated pulsed to conserve power for cooling reasons.

The Dazer Laser is the only ocular distraction and interruption device that uses Variable Range and Variable Focus, a patented technology Laser Energetics has designed into all of its devices. This allows the operator to adjust the range based on the range of the target. For instance if someone is 5 meters away, the user simply sets the range to 5 meters and is safe to engage from 1 meter up to 5 meters away. In the event a threat is 50 meters away, the user simply changes the range to the 50 meter setting and now can engage the threat completely eye safe from 10 meters and beyond. Other dazzling devices cannot do this because they are fixed focus systems and cannot be used at short ranges, but instead have built in safety modules that turn the device off inside of short ranges. This makes other dazzling devices ineffective because they can only be used at longer ranges.

The Dazer Laser has built-in security codes for controlled activation. Once the code has been input into the device, it is activated for a time period of 8, 12, or 24 hours. Upon expiration of the time clock, the device shuts off and cannot be used again until the code is re-entered. This prevents unauthorized use in the event it is lost or stolen. The Dazer Laser operates as a high-powered, long range search-light as well as an ocular distraction and interruption device for safe, yet effective temporary visual impairment. The Dazer Laser is fully water proof and submersible up to 20 meters in depth, which is two (2) atmospheres. Both the Dazer Laser Defender and Guardian are weapons mountable using MIL Std 1913 Picatinny Rail adapters and have been ruggedized for transport and gunfire, vibration and shock. All Dazer Laser products are powered by CR 123A-3V lithium batteries, the Defender uses four (4) and the Guardian uses two (2).

History

2008 - Laser Energetics completes its research and begins the physical engineering of its Dazer Laser."^[7]

2009 - Laser Energetics announces its nonlethal laser weapon.^[8]

2010 - Results from for the eye safety study proves the Dazer Laser can be operated safely.^[4] Dazer Laser first sale is made to Israeli Corrections.

References

1. ^ "Blinding laser beam newest police tool". King5. http://www.king5.com/news/BLINDING-LASER-BEAM-NEWEST-POLICE-TOOL-98973794.html. Retrieved 2010-07-25. "Police in the Northwest are considering a new tool for law enforcement. It's called the "Dazer Laser" and is being hailed as a relatively safe method of neutralizing a suspect by temporarily blinding them, Seattle's King 5 reports. ..." 
2. ^ "Police to experiment with blinding 'Dazer Laser'?". CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20011548-71.html. "The Dazer Laser is a gun that emits a green light at suspects and causes them to temporarily lose their sight" 
3. ^ "US firm says handheld puke ray is ready to go". The Register. June 1, 2009. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/01/laser_energetics_puke_ray/. Retrieved 2010-07-30. "The so-called Dazer Laser technology comes from Laser Energetics Inc, of New Jersey, which has been supplying more conventional laser equipment since 1991. Now, however, the company is pleased to announce its new Defender and Guardian chunder-beam weapons." 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Dazer Laser Eye Safety Study". http://www.laserenergetics.com/pdf/dazerlasereyesafetystudy.pdf. 
5. ^ "Blinding DAZER LASER To Replace Police Tasers? (VIDEO)". http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/23/dazer-laserto-replace-pol_n_656297.html. 
6. ^ "General Dynamics Awarded Contract for Laser Energetics' Dazer Laser". PRNewswire. http://ca.news.finance.yahoo.com/s/15062010/31/link-f-prnewswire-general-dynamics-awarded-contract-laser-energetics-dazer-laser.html. 
7. ^ "History". http://www.laserenergetics.com/history.htm. 
8. ^ "Dazer Laser Debuts at Parade". http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=37655.