I've been reading a ton about laser safety and OD ratings, mW exposure levels, etc...
So - that being said - I wanted to get others input on their workflow and see if my plan makes sense.
I do have a set of OD4 (dragonlasers) goggles for the argon multiline wavelengths... but am worried that with a 50mW laser I won't be able to adequately see the beam for positioning with the goggles on..
So - here is my plan..
First the lasers - 5mW HeNe, 50mW ML Argon.
I have an optical table and several kinematic mounts for various optics. These will be rigidly fixed when used. I also use a white sheet of paper on the wall as the output beam stop - from what I've read this should be fine at this mW level (5~50mW).
My plan is to use my 5mW HeNe for all optical setup, and positioning, ans also checking for stray beams. Then, I plan to use the argon at idle (under 20mW likely) to double check the setup and beam position prior to any work at the full output level.
Also - with a multiline argon, using a diffraction grating and assuming 6 lines - I should be seeing under 10mW for each line (50mW / 6).
Now - that being said - if I can do positioning and see the beam dot with my goggles on, I will plan to use them and skip the initial position with the HeNe.
Is this overkill?
So - that being said - I wanted to get others input on their workflow and see if my plan makes sense.
I do have a set of OD4 (dragonlasers) goggles for the argon multiline wavelengths... but am worried that with a 50mW laser I won't be able to adequately see the beam for positioning with the goggles on..
So - here is my plan..
First the lasers - 5mW HeNe, 50mW ML Argon.
I have an optical table and several kinematic mounts for various optics. These will be rigidly fixed when used. I also use a white sheet of paper on the wall as the output beam stop - from what I've read this should be fine at this mW level (5~50mW).
My plan is to use my 5mW HeNe for all optical setup, and positioning, ans also checking for stray beams. Then, I plan to use the argon at idle (under 20mW likely) to double check the setup and beam position prior to any work at the full output level.
Also - with a multiline argon, using a diffraction grating and assuming 6 lines - I should be seeing under 10mW for each line (50mW / 6).
Now - that being said - if I can do positioning and see the beam dot with my goggles on, I will plan to use them and skip the initial position with the HeNe.
Is this overkill?
