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10,600nm and regular plastic safety glasses OK?

PostPosted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:16 am
by yuchan
I keep reading that 10,600nm is stopped by acrylic and glass.

Since we're talking about my eyesight, I'd like to double check: I can simply use the plastic safety goggles I have for woodworking / milling for eye protection against the 40w CO2 laser that's on the way to my house?

Sams Laser FAQ:
the 10.6 µm wavelength does not penetrate glass or plastic so unless you're flying a WW-I open cockpit biplane, the cockpit windows will be effective protection.


This seems to be the case, but.. I don't know, I'd like to hear it explicitly: "Yes, you can use those cheap plastic safety glasses you've been using for years".


Hey, if it stops woodchips from getting into your eyes, it'll stop a laser! :D It's bullet proof!

Re: 10,600nm and regular plastic safety glasses OK?

PostPosted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 1:31 am
by r691175002
Yes you can use cheap plastic safety glasses.

Furthermore, the dot from ordinary lasers is dangerous because the lens of your eye will focus a visible bright spot into a very small area on your retina.
Because the wavelength of a CO2 laser is blocked by every layer of your eye, it will be diffused over the cornea and never get focused. A direct blast from the co2 laser will hurt, but as long as you dont shoot yourself in the face with the laser it is fairly tame when compared to 1W+ visible lasers.
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Re: 10,600nm and regular plastic safety glasses OK?

PostPosted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 1:49 am
by bdring
CO2 laser is blocked by every layer of your eye


Those layers will save your retina, but those layers will be destroyed. Always wear the glasses. I like my nerdy real glass laser safety glasses.

Re: 10,600nm and regular plastic safety glasses OK?

PostPosted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 5:06 am
by yuchan
Thanks for the feedback! When it comes to eye-sight, I prefer it spelled out letter for letter :)