Appendix BU-03: Alignment Guidance

Appendix BU-03: Alignment Guidance

Caution: Majority of all laser accidents occur during alignment.

Laser Alignment, Beam Manipulation, and Pre-alignment beam procedures

  1. The Permit Holder will be responsible for training and authorizing individuals who are allowed to perform pre-alignment procedures.
  2. Beam alignments must be performed with a trained and approved buddy designated by the permit holder.
  3. Familiarize yourself with approved alignment procedure.
  4. Post a laser alignment warning sign at the entry to the laser laboratory and restrict access.
  5. Remove all unnecessary reflective items from the optical table. (Shiny tools, extra mirrors)
  6. Do not wear any jewelry or any reflective items (jewelry, watch, plastic ID card, etc.).
  7. Put on protective eyewear with appropriate optical density
  8. Reduce the beam power to minimal setting.
  9. When practical use a low-power (<5 mW) visible beam laser such as a HeNe laser or a diode laser (i.e., a laser pointer) to align the optics.
  10. All materials needed for the alignment should be readily available.
  11. Isolate the beam from other areas of the laboratory using laser curtains, beam barriers, and beam stops.
  12. Enclose as much of the beam as practical to protect your eyes and skin.

Alignment

  1. Use an indirect means of viewing the beam (beam detector card, infrared viewer scope, Zap-it® paper) except when aligning low power (<15 mW) visible beam lasers.
  2. Keep the beam on the plane of the optical table and well below normal sitting eye level. Never direct a beam upwards or across a walkway!
  3. Do not leave the laser unattended during the alignment procedure.
  4. Put on protective eyewear with appropriate optical density

Note: The most hazardous lasers to align are near-infrared mode-locked and Q-switched lasers invisible or barely visible beams, very short pulse durations and thus very high peak powers. Use a high degree of caution when aligning these lasers. M-rated eyewear is needed to absorb picosecond and femtosecond-pulse laser radiation.

Post alignment

  1. Be sure to reinstall all safety guards and barriers that were removed for the alignment procedure.
  2. Remove the laser alignment warning sign at the entry to the laser laboratory.

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