Product Code: ILSC2007_906

Spatial Effects of Turbulence on Laser Safety Ranges
Authors:
Noam Sapiens, NSLS Consulting; Rehovot Israel
Presented at ILSC 2007

The effects of atmospheric turbulence on the energy distribution and hence on the safety range of a laser are covered by most military and outdoor laser safety standards. In these standards, a formula for assessing the energy distribution maxima after traveling through a turbulent medium is given. This formula assumes a Gaussian beam in the far field and has no consideration of the effects of the turbulence on the beam geometry. The use of Kolmogorov phase screens to advance the beam through atmospheric turbulence enables an accurate assessment of atmospheric effects on the laser safety range.