Product Code: ILSC2011_304

Novel Software Platform for Advanced Optical Radiation Safety Analysis
Authors:
Simon Hall, National Physical Laboratory; Teddington, Middlesex Great Britain
Neil Haigh, Blueside Photonics Ltd; Preston Great Britain
Presented at ILSC 2011

This paper describes the development of a software based platform for the optical radiation safety analysis of today's generation of versatile light sources whether they be laser, LED or lamp, and whether they be continuous wave, single line, multi-line, narrowband or broadband in emission spectrum. The analysis is calculated against the international optical radiation safety standards IEC 60825 (lasers) and IEC 62471 (lamps) but can be expanded to meet the requirements of other standards as necessary. This is an important capability given the slow but inevitable convergence of optical radiation safety standards, and the complex nature of today's generation of light sources such as the supercontinuum laser, the high brightness light emitting diode and the intense pulsed light (IPL) source, all of which can be troublesome to analyse for their safety. The versatility of the software platform is such the source input data (usually in the form a spectrum) can be loaded, scaled and oriented dynamically, to comply with the analysis requirements of either standards to allow the dual analysis to be performed and the results compared. The user is also warned and advised whenever the system measurement metrics are in conflict with the requirements of the standard (e.g. inappropriate acceptance angle used for the measurement.). Furthermore, because the software can present the optical radiation safety exposure analysis as dynamic functions of both wavelength and time, it is possible to use a graphical interface to convey the related Maximum Permissible Exposure information as a 3D surface contour diagram, bringing to life the intriguing and important information contained in the standard. It follows that the software platform can serve as a useful tutorial aid during advanced optical radiation safety training programmes.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the UKs National Measurement Institute and is a world-leading centre of excellence in developing and applying the most accurate measurement standards, science and technology available to man. For more than a century NPL has developed and maintained the nations primary measurement standards. These standards underpin an infrastructure of traceability throughout the UK and the world that ensures accuracy and consistency of measurement.