Laser Physics & Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real CLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Laser Physics & Safety flashcards as text
Which laser parameter describes the beam's ability to maintain a fixed phase relationship over time?
Answer: Temporal coherence
Temporal coherence refers to the phase correlation of a light wave with itself over time, related to the laser's spectral purity.
A Class 3R laser has a maximum output power of up to how many milliwatts for visible wavelengths?
Answer: 5 mW
Class 3R lasers emit up to 5 mW in the visible spectrum and present a limited risk if viewed briefly without optical aids.
What does the acronym ANSI stand for in the context of laser safety standards?
Answer: American National Standards Institute
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) publishes the Z136 series of standards governing safe use of lasers in the US.
In laser physics, what term describes the minimum time the laser takes to emit a pulse?
Answer: Pulse width (duration)
Pulse width (or pulse duration) is the time interval during which a pulsed laser emits energy, typically measured in nanoseconds or femtoseconds.
Which type of hazard is NOT directly associated with laser use?
Answer: Ionizing radiation
Lasers emit non-ionizing radiation; ionizing radiation (X-rays, gamma rays) is not produced by standard laser systems.
What is the function of a beam dump in a laser setup?
Answer: To safely absorb stray or terminated laser beams
A beam dump is an optical device designed to absorb and dissipate laser energy from stray or unwanted beams without reflections.
The output wavelength of an Nd:YAG laser is primarily at which value?
Answer: 1064 nm
The fundamental output of an Nd:YAG laser is 1064 nm (near-infrared); it can be frequency-doubled to 532 nm.