Laser pointer

A laser pointer is a portable, pen-sized laser designed to be held in the hand, and most commonly used to project a point of light to highlight items of interest during a presentation. Most laser pointers have low enough power that the projected beam presents a minimal hazard to eyes for incidental exposure. A beam of light is not in itself visible from the side, but only by light scattered by dust particles; the small width of the beam and low power of typical laser pointers makes the beam itself invisible in a reasonably clean atmosphere, showing a point of light when impinging on an opaque surface. Some higher powered laser pointers are faintly visible via RayleighFact|date=June 2008 scattering when viewed from the side in moderately to dimly lit conditions.

Types of laser pointer

The early laser pointers were helium-neon (HeNe) gas lasers and generated laser radiation at 633 nanometer (nm), usually designed to produce a laser beam with an output power no greater than 1 milliwatt (mW). The least expensive laser pointers use a deep red laser diode near the 670/650 nanometers (nm) wavelength. Slightly more expensive ones use a red-orange 635 nm diode, making them more easily visible than their 670 nm counterparts due to the greater sensitivity of the human eye at 635 nm. Other colors are possible too, with the 532 nm green laser being the most common alternative. In the past few years, yellow-orange laser pointers, at 593.5 nm, have been made available. In September 2005, handheld blue laser pointers at 473 nm have also become available.

The apparent brightness of a spot from a laser beam depends not only on the optical power of the laser and the reflectivity of the surface, but also on the chromatic response of the human eye. For the same optical power, the green laser will seem brighter than other colors because the human eye is most sensitive at low light levels in the green region of the spectrum (wavelength 520 - 570 nm). Sensitivity decreases for redder or bluer wavelengths.

The output power of a laser pointer is usually measured in milliwatts (mW). In the US lasers are classified by the American National Standards Institute ["ANSI classification scheme" (ANSI Z136.1-1993, American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers)] and by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Visible laser pointers (400-700 nm) operating at less than 1 mW power are Class 2 or II and visible laser pointers operating with 1–5 mW power are Class 3R or IIIa. There are high power pointers operating between 5-500mW (class 3B/IIIb) but these are banned in many countriesFact|date=September 2008 because they can present a variety of hazards to people through ocular exposure to direct beams. Much higher powers (Class 4/IV) are not allowed for laser pointers.

Red/red-orange laser pointer

These are the simplest pointers, as laser diodes are available in these wavelengths. The pointer is essentially no more than a battery-powered laser diode.

Green laser pointer

Green laser pointers [ [http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/laserpic/glpdpics.htm Sam's Laser FAQ: Dissection of Green Laser Pointer] .] appeared on the market circa 2000, and are the most common type of DPSS lasers (also called DPSSFD, diode pumped solid state frequency-doubled). They are much more complicated than standard red laser pointers, because laser diodes are not commonly available in this wavelength range. The green light is generated in an indirect process, beginning with a high-power (typically 100-300 mW) infrared AlGaAs laser diode operating at 808 nm. The 808 nm light pumps a crystal of (Nd:YVO₄) (or Nd:YAG or less common ), which lases deeper in the infrared at 1064 nm. The vanadate crystal is coated on the diode side with a dielectric mirror that reflects at 1064 nm and transmits at 808 nm. The crystal is mounted on a copper block, acting as a heatsink; its 1064 nm output is fed into a crystal of potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP), mounted on a heatsink in the laser cavity resonator. The orientation of the crystals must be matched, as they are both anisotropic and the Nd:YVO₄ outputs polarized light. This unit acts as a frequency doubler, and halves the wavelength to the desired 532 nm. The resonant cavity is terminated by a dielectric mirror that reflects at 1064 nm and transmits at 532 nm. An infrared filter behind the mirror removes IR radiation from the output beam, and the assembly ends in a collimator lens.

Nd:YVO₄ is replacing Nd:YAG and Nd:YLF due to lower dependency on the exact parameters of the pump diode (therefore allowing for higher tolerances), wider absorption band, lower lasing threshold, higher slope efficiency, linear polarization of output light, and single mode output. [ [http://www.casix.com/product/prod_cry_ndyvo4.html Crystal manufacturer's website] describing Neodymium Doped Yttrium Orthvanadate] For frequency doubling of higher power lasers, LBO is used instead of KTP. Newer lasers use a composite Nd:YVO₄/KTP crystal instead of two discrete ones.

Some green lasers operate in pulse or quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode, to reduce cooling problems and prolong battery life.

Blue laser

Blue laser pointers, which became available around 2006, have the same basic construction as green lasers. They most commonly lase at 473 nm, which is produced by frequency doubling of 946 nm laser radiation from a diode-pumped or crystal. For high output power BBO crystals are used as frequency doublers, for lower powers KTP is used.

Blue lasers can also be fabricated with InGaN semiconductors, which emit a blue light beam at 405nm wave length (close to ultraviolet) which can cause bright blue fluorescence on many white surfaces, including projection screens. On non-fluorescent materials, such as fog or dust, the color appears as a shade of violet that cannot be reproduced on monitors and print. An InGaN laser emits 405 nm directly without a frequency doubler such as 473 and 532 nm lasers, which means that accidental dangerous infrared emission is impossible. The Japanese company Nichia controls (in 2006) 80% of the market. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/sep/14/newmedia.media Is the end in sight for Sony's laser blues? | Technology | The Guardian ] ]

Applications

Laser pointers are often used in educational and business presentations and visual demonstrations as an eye-catching pointing device. Red laser pointers can be used in almost any indoor or low-light situation where pointing out details by hand may be inconvenient, such as in construction work or interior decorating. Green laser pointers can be used for similar purposes as well as outdoors in daylight or for longer distances.

In pointing applications such as these, natural hand tremor may cause unwanted jittery motion of the laser dot. Future laser pointers may solve this problem by stabilizing the laser beam from unwanted hand tremor. [ [http://www.steadypointer.com/ Laser Pointer Without Hand Tremor Jitter And Shake - Stabilized Laser Pointer, Range Finder ] ]

Laser pointers can be used as toys for pets, especially for cats in play. Some offer a selection of designs for the laser beam to project (e.g. images of butterflies, mice, or flowers), to provide variety. Opinions are divided on the safety of laser pointers used in this way. Some consider laser pointers to be a healthier alternative to the more traditional string for cats because they reduce the risk of choking on the string. Others are concerned that the laser beam may damage pets' eyes, or that the pet will develop frustration problems from not being able to catch the prey. [ [http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=lasertoys "Laser Toys" by Jackson Galaxy] , an article about cat play therapy with emphasis on use of lasers]

Green laser pointers can also be used for amateur astronomy. On a moonless night, a green laser pointer beam can often be clearly seen, allowing someone to accurately point out individual stars to others nearby.

An accurately aligned laser pointer can be used as a laser gunsight to aim a firearm.

Hazards

The output of laser pointers available to the general public varies by country in order to prevent accidental damage to the retina of human eyes. The US FDA determined that Class IIIa lasers "could" cause injury to the eye if viewed directly for approximately 0.25 seconds, although it has cited evidence that exposure to visible lasers is "usually" limited by the blink reflex of the eye, which they have timed at just under 0.25 seconds. [Robert A.Moses., in Adler's Physiology of the eye clinical application, Robert A.Moses., Ed. (Mosby, 1981) ,chap. 1, pp. 1-15] More recent studies show that the risk to the human eye from accidental exposure to light from commercially available class IIIa laser pointers having powers up to 5 mW seems rather small, typically involving deliberate staring into the beam for 10 or more seconds. [ [http://archopht.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/122/8/1210 Martin A. Mainster, Bruce E. Stuck, and Jeremiah Brown, Jr "Assessment of Alleged Retinal Laser Injuries" Arch Ophthalmol, Aug 2004; 122: 1210 - 1217] ] [ [http://archopht.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/123/5/629 Dennis M. Robertson, MD; Jay W. McLaren, PhD; Diva R. Salomao, MD; Thomas P. Link, CRA, "Retinopathy From a Green Laser Pointer ," "A Clinicopathologic Study, Arch Ophthalmol. 2005;123:629-633.] ] Viewing of a laser pointer beam for more than 10 seconds can be harmful, however. [Sliney DH, Dennis JE. Safety concerns about laser pointers. J Laser Appl. 1994;6:159-164] [ [http://archopht.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/122/8/1210#RREF-ESA30014-2 Martin A. Mainster, Bruce E. Stuck, and Jeremiah Brown, Jr "Assessment of Alleged Retinal Laser Injuries" Arch Ophthalmol, Aug 2004; 122: 1210 - 1217] ]

The UK Health Protection Agency warns against the high-power (over 5 milliwatt) typically-green laser pointers available over the Internet, with laser beam powers up to a few hundred milliwatts, since they are "extremely dangerous and not suitable for sale to the public." [ [http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1195733794576 UK Health Protection Agency Information Sheet on Laser Pointers] ]

Regulations and misuse

Since laser pointers became readily available, they have been misused, leading to the development of laws and regulations specifically addressing use of such lasers. Their very long range makes it difficult to find the source of a laser spot. In some circumstances they make people fear they are being targeted by weapons, as they are indistinguishable from dot type laser reticles. The very bright, small, spot makes it possible to dazzle and distract drivers and aircraft pilots, and they can be dangerous to sight if aimed at the eyes.

In January 2005, a New Jersey man was arrested for pointing a green laser pointer at a small jet flying overhead. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-11-laser-aircraft_x.htm USATODAY.com - More reports of lasers being shot into airplane cockpits ] ]

Despite legislation limiting the output of laser pointers in some countries (such as the United States and Australia), higher-power devices are currently produced in other regions (especially China and Hong Kong), and are frequently imported by customers who purchase them directly via internet mail order. The legality of such transactions is not always clear; typically, the lasers are sold as research or OEM devices (which are not subject to the same power restrictions), with a disclaimer that they are not to be used as pointers. DIY videos are also often posted on Internet video sharing sites like YouTube which explain how to make a high-power laser pointer using the diode from an optical disc burner. As the popularity of these hazardous devices soared, many manufacturers (mainly in China) began manufacturing similar high powered pointers. The US FDA has published a warning on the dangers of such high powered lasers. [ [http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/radhealth/products/internetlasers.html Consumer Safety Alert: Internet Sales of Laser Products] ] Despite the disclaimers, such Lasers are frequently sold in packaging resembling that for laser pointers. Lasers of this type may not include safety features sometimes found on laser modules sold for research purposes.

Australia

In April 2008, following a series of coordinated attacks on passenger jets in Sydney, the Australian government announced that it would restrict the sale and importation of certain laser items. The government has yet to determine which classes of laser pointers to ban. [cite web |url = http://news.smh.com.au/laser-pointers-restricted-after-attacks/20080406-240f.html |title = Laser pointers restricted after attacks |accessdate = 2008-04-06 |date = 2008-04-06 |publisher = "Sydney Morning Herald"] After some debate, Australian government voted to issue a nationwide ban on importing of lasers that emit a beam stronger than 1 mW, which was effective on July 1, 2008. Those whose professions require the user of a laser can apply for an exemption. [ [http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=10444 Official announcement of Australian laser ban] ]

Victoria: Importation, sale, manufacture, possession and use of laser pointers which emit a beam with an accessible emission limit greater than 1mW is prohibited. [ [http://www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubStatbook.nsf/0/655C4BD36C276088CA256E5B0021A8DD/$FILE/00-130sr.pdf Control of Weapons Regulations 2000] S.R. No. 130/2000 Schedule 2 Number 33]

Western Australia: Regulatory changes have classified laser pointers as controlled weapons and demonstration of a lawful reason for possession is required. [ [http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=130007 Media Statements - Results ] ] Also The State Government has banned as of 2000 the manufacture, sale and possession of laser pointers higher than class 2. [ [http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=113799 Media Statements - Results ] ]

New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory: The product safety standard for laser pointers prescribes that they must be a Class 1 or a Class 2 laser product. [ [http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fragview/inforce/subordleg+413+2007+pt.2-div.18-sec.73+0+N?dq=Document%20Types%3D%22Acts,%20Regs%22,%20All%20Words%3D%22Laser%20pointers%22,%20Search%20In%3D%22Text%22 Extract from New South Wales Fair Trading Regulation 2007] ] [ [http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/sl/2002-39/current/pdf/2002-39.pdf Fair Trading (Consumer Product Standards) Regulation 2002 ] ]

Canada

No regulations controlling the importation and sale of laser pointers have been established in Canada to date [ [http://www.bccdc.org/content.php?item=54 Health Concerns of Hand Held Laser Pointers- RPS] ] .There are no records of high powered lasers being confiscated, although they should not be abused.

Netherlands

Since 1998, the allowed class for laser pointers has been 2; before 1998, class 3a was allowed. [ [http://www.nvs-straling.nl/wetens/nis/artikelen/artikel9.asp Verbod op verkoop van laserpointers] . NVS Nieuws, 1998.]

United Kingdom

UK and most of Europe are now harmonized on Class 2 (<1mW) for General presentation use laser pointers or laser pens. There are no specific UK laws relating to laser pointers however Health and Safety regulation insists on use of Class 2 anywhere the public can come in contact with laser light [ The UK Health Protection Agency's [http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1195733794576 Laser Pointer Infosheet] . ]

United States

Laser pointers are Class II or Class IIIa devices, with output beam power less than 5 milliwatts (<5mW). According to FDA regulations, more powerful lasers may not be sold or promoted as laser pointers. [ [http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/radhealth/products/LPM.html An FDA interpretation of its regulatory requirements for laser pointers, explaining the power limits for these products] ] Also, any laser with class higher than IIIa (more than 5 milliwatts) requires a key-switch interlock and other safety features. [ [http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=1040.10 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR 1040.10(f)] , Food and Drug Administration regulations for Laser Products. Note that these regulations pre-date the availability of Laser Pointers and so do not reference them by name.]

All laser products offered in commerce in the US must be registered with the US FDA, regardless of output power. [ [http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=1040.10 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR 1040.10] , Food and Drug Administration regulations for Laser Products]

In Utah it is a class C misdemeanor to point a laser pointer at a law enforcement officer and is an infraction to point a laser pointer at a moving vehicle. [ [http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE76/htm/76_10_250100.htm ] ]

ee also

*Pointer (rod)
*Laser safety

References