Argon goggles for only Argon lasers?

TLDR: Are laser goggles that are labeled as "Argon" laser goggles to be used exclusively with Argon lasers, or is it safe to say that they can be used within the rated wavelengths printed on the frames for any type of laser?

I have a pair of Glendale LGB Z78 laser goggles that I purchased some time ago. The goggles boast a number of OD ratings for various wavelengths on the side panel. The one that matters to me is "190-490nm OD>9". I intend to use these Glendale goggles while using my new NUBM44 445nm build, but one big question came to mind. Certain laser goggles (similar to the Glendale one that I own) state that they are "Argon laser goggles". Uvex even sells a pair of Argon laser goggles that clearly states on the frame: "FOR VIEWING OF DIFFUSE ARGON LASER LIGHT ONLY".

This statement got me wondering if the warning on the frames of those Uvex goggles meant that their goggles should literally only be used with Argon lasers, or if the message was simply stressing the point that the goggles should be used with lasers within said wavelength and with diffuse light; i.e. don't stare directly into the beam.

Edit:
"Laser safety glasses for 532nm Argon lasers are typically used with high-powered Argon lasers used in research labs, but they are just as effective and useful for people working with green multiplex lasers or green laser pointers who want protection from stray beams."
http://www.phillips-safety.com/news/532nm-argon-laser-safety-glasses/

Not sure how accurate this statement is, and it still seemingly conflicts with what is printed on the Uvex frames, based on interpretation.

Thank you for the help!
-Durge

Durge said:

TLDR: ... is it safe to say that they can be used within the rated wavelengths printed on the frames for any type of laser?

Click to expand...

Short answer: yes.

Laser glasses will provide the specified OD protection for the specified wavelength range. So as long as your laser is within that wavelength range, and the OD is high enough for the laser power, then it will work.

What Mattronium said, I have the same goggles, they offer very good protection within that range, you won't find many other laser goggles or glasses with that much protection.

E: As I am sure you have seen, there is another range for IR, that's what I bought mine for.

^^^this^^^

Durge said:

or is it safe to say that they can be used within the rated wavelengths printed on the frames for any type of laser?



Edit:
"Laser safety glasses for 532nm Argon lasers are typically used with high-powered Argon lasers used in research labs, but they are just as effective and useful for people working with green multiplex lasers or green laser pointers who want protection from stray beams."
532nm Argon Laser Safety Glasses / Phillips Safety

Not sure how accurate this statement is, and it still seemingly conflicts with what is printed on the Uvex frames, based on interpretation.

Thank you for the help!
-Durge

Click to expand...

The answer seems pretty obvious, no? The rating printed on the goggles is what they are rated for...

Argon doesn't lase at 532nm... 528 is the closest line and it's one of the weaker lines...

Yea, the way they were labeled for argon lasers was confusing to him, as if there was something special about argon lasers which applied to them.

diachi said:

The answer seems pretty obvious, no? The rating printed on the goggles is what they are rated for...

Argon doesn't lase at 532nm... 528 is the closest line and it's one of the weaker lines...

Click to expand...

Here is an image of the Uvex Argon goggles.



I didn't want to take a chance when it came to laser safety. Since I've had no experience with Argon lasers, I figured it would be irresponsible of me to ignore the large warning on the frames of these Argon laser goggles. If interpreting the capitalized warning literally, one would come to the conclusion that a non-Argon laser (such as NUBM44) should not be used with Argon laser goggles (like my Glendale LGB Z78 Argon laser goggles), regardless of the fact that they are rated appropriately in terms of wavelength and optical density. It's the same logic that tells you not to use sunglasses while viewing powerful lasers, even if the sunglasses advertise that they "block 99.99% of harmful radiation".

I was also a little skeptical of the website that I quoted since they were speaking on behalf of their own product alone, but I included its quote as it was the most germane information on the subject that I could find.

Mattronium said:

Short answer: yes.

Click to expand...

Thank you Mattronium and Alaskan for clearing that up. No harm in being extra careful with eye safety, especially since the particular topic hasn't been brought up on the forum before.

Those aren't the same as mine, but they are labled as argon laser glasses the same way, maybe yours are not good for a portion of IR too.

Alaskan said:

Those aren't the same as mine, but they are labled as argon laser glasses the same way, maybe yours are not good for a portion of IR too.

Click to expand...

That other image was of the Uvex goggles.

This one is of my Glendales



The Glendales were advertised the same as the Uvex (as Argon goggles for use with Argon lasers only), they just don't have it printed on the frames. Since these were made in 1993, I can't blame them for not knowing that people would be using their goggles 25 years later for powerful handheld lasers of similar wavelength.

And you were right, they have some ratings in the IR.