Product Code: ILSC2007_402

Damage Thresholds to the Retina from Elliptical and Array Exposure Sites using CW Lasers
Authors:
Paul Maseberg, Fort Hays State University; Hays KS USA
Benjamin Faber, FHSU; Hays KS USA
Robert Thomas, USAF Research Laboratory; Brooks City-Base TX USA
Gavin Buffington, Fort Hays State University; Hays KS USA
Presented at ILSC 2007

A three-dimensional thermal model is used to investigate the damage threshold for hazard assessments of lasers projecting non-uniform or non-symmetric images on the retina. The two source types considered are an array of sources and an elliptical source. In the array of sources, the spacing and size ratios of the sources are varied to determine their effect on the damage threshold. Additionally, it is determined where the spacing and size of the sources can be approximated by a large uniform source. For the elliptical source, the damage threshold is found as a function of the ratio of minor and major diameters. Short and long exposure times are considered for both the array of sources and the elliptical source.