Laser going through Aluminum oxynitride safety

[sigvard]

Hey there, long time lurker. while reasonably well informed of safe operating procedures as it concerns high powered lasers, I'm not 100% on this, and when it comes to the last line of defense, one should always risk looking like an idiot over being blind. I searched and really couldn't find a satisfactory answer anywhere.

Dealing with high powered lasers, usually around the 2-4 watt range, 280-1540 nm generally but it's a lab environment so it varies greatly. Have all appropriate safety goggles for each laser we use, interlocks, all that accounted for.

However, before hitting the safety goggles in a disastrous occasion, the laser will pass through 1.5 inches of ALON glass first. (3.81 Cm)

All relevant information about the properties of the material here ALON® Optical Ceramic
Will this refraction result in any change to the beam that would result in it passing through or otherwise negating the safety goggles? I don't believe so, but thank you for clarification, whatever the answer.

 

[Eudaimonium]

As far as I see, that ALON glass material is designed specifically to be transparent, that is, to interact with the visible light as less as possible.

So no, if you have safety goggles for a laser, they still work after the laser has gone through some beam-deforming optics and especially after a normal transparent glass pane.

The ONLY issue is if you were to end up collimating the beam and having your eyes in the focal point. It's possible that, in very high power lasers, the safety glasses' materials will melt faster than you can move out of danger.

This is obviously not the case here, right?

 

[sigvard]

Certainly not the case yes. I think that was what was on my mind as I posed the question, Theres no practical way that could happen as I examine the setup though.

 

[Eudaimonium]

Then you're all good to go

It's commendable that you asked "Just in case". Wish more people were of that mindset.

 

[Cyparagon]

First bullet point on the site you linked:

Optically transparent from the near ultra violet to the near infrared wavelength (0.25 to 4.6 microns)

 

[Eudaimonium]

First bullet point on the site you linked:

Optically transparent from the near ultra violet to the near infrared wavelength (0.25 to 4.6 microns)

Yeah I'd say 4600 nm is quite far beyond "near" infrared But anyway, seems everything else is in order, right?

 

[sigvard]

Ah, I had misremembered the specs there, thinking it was NOT transparent in the "near" IR range.

This testing room is primarily designed for ballistics and energetic materials, which I specialize in, Lasers are only a new hobby to me. The fellow who actually runs everything to do with them just uses the room since it's convenient, I observe it from time to time as it is intriguing.

Just a bit of background to clarify where I was coming from, and to assure people you won't hear of some catastrophic high powered laser disaster from a man who forgot the basics of optical transparency Thanks again.