Product Code: ILSC2011_501

Laser Dyes and Solvents
Authors:
Sharli Frederiksen, Mayo Clinic; Scottsdale AZ USA
Presented at ILSC 2011

Organic dye solutions can serve as the lasing medium in some laser systems. They might offer a wider bandwidth which provides the flexibility seen in the tunable and pulsed laser systems. A few examples of laser dyes include coumarin, fluorescein, malalchite green, rhodamine, and stilbene. Most laser dyes, or the solvents in which they are dissolved, are toxic; some are carcinogenic or mutagenic. A few examples of some common laser dye solvents include water, glycol, alcohols, benzenes, hexane, cyclohexane, dimethylformamide, and toluene. As the laser is used, the dye solutions degrade and eventually have to be replaced. It is probable that the waste laser dye solution will need to be handled as a hazardous chemical. Proper characterization is needed prior to handling to determine the specific hazards and control measures to prevent exposure to the engineer or the environment. Hazardous waste regulations vary by location, but there is similarity in that all restrict toxic materials from polluting the environment.