IR Lasers/Infrared Lasers

IR Lasers/Infrared Lasers

Infrared lasers have been rapidly changing roles in how we perceive the use of IR Lasers in this spectrum have adapted well in the surveillance industry as well as the foreign and domestic intelligence agencies. Military forces have long used IR lasers to illuminate hostile targets without revealing its position. This is due to the fact infrared lasers are invisible to the human eye. At the same time, IR also enhances night vision equipment capabilities by flooding forward positions with invisible light that enhances light gathering performance and increasing the ability to detect objects at greater lengths.

Lasers in the IR wavelength have also become a battlefield soldier's choice of small arms target acquisition tools. Infrared laser systems have taken on sub compact designs which are highly suited for tactical operations from civilian police forces to combat infantry. IR lasers are in use in virtually every government operation all over the world today. Safety is also a major concern with IR lasers. The human eye does not detect or register the IR wavelength. Because of this, infrared lasers should only be handled by trained professionals using proper equipment.

Enthusiasts are taking interest in infrared laser technology for a variety of invisible light experiments and hybrid applications that requireIR. Laser beams are also produced using infrared laser diodes lased by crystals coming from the garnet family. These lasers are doped with minerals to produce frequency modulation, doubling wavelengths in crystal arrays, and collimating with optics to produce our familiar laser pointers and portable laser devices that make up the majority of the DPSS markets today. Without infrared, laser technology would have been a reality only left to science-fiction.

Why is IR bad?

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• Infrared, or IR for short, is extremely dangerous because it is invisible to the human eye. Despite not being visible, IR rays can still pass through the anterior structures of the eye to reach the retina and will focus reasonably sharply. There will be no blink or aversion reflex so damage can be done even for modest power lasers without any immediate symptoms. Only later, will the pretty patterns engraved on your retina(s) become evident (since your brain will initially tend to fill in and mask their effects). And, they won't go away - ever!
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• As DPSS green lasers are manufactured from 808nm IR Diodes, an IR filter is required to block out excessive IR passing through the MCA crystals. However, to lower costs and cut prices, numerous manufacturers do not equip their lasers with IR filters. Although you are unaware of its presence, your eyes may be subject to excessive IR when you are working with these poorly made lasers.