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An In-Situ Study of Laser-Induced Plume Radiance and Thermal Effects of Laser Irradiated Polycarbonate and Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Samples

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Pearl W. Yip
Pearl W. Yip*
Affiliation:
U.S. Army Materials Technology Laboratory, Watertown, MA 02172-0001
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Abstract

Threats of lasers to human eyes and electro-optics on the modern battlefield has been significantly increased due to the rapid growth of laser technology in military applications. Currently polycarbonate (PC) and poly [methyl methacrylate] (PMMA) are being used as transparencies for aircraft and goggle materials for aircrews and combat soldiers [Ref 1,2]. A carefully monitored laser test was conducted on these two particular polymers using a medium-power, continuous-wave CO2 laser to determine the brightness of the laser-induced plume radiance and how much luminance was transmitted to the back of the sample. Plume luminance for photopic (daytime) and scotopic (nighttime) visual conditions, as well as the recovery times for human eyes exposed to these levels of luminance were calculated. Our test results demonstrated that the plume induced by the CW CO2 laser irradiation can be an ocular hazard to soldiers operating behind these conventional transparent materials.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 201: Symposium A – Surface Chemistry and Beam-Solid Interactions , 1990 , 483
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1991

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References

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