Laserdamage

Laserdamage refers to injury or degradation caused by exposure to laser radiation. It can affect living tissue, such as skin and eyes, or materials and devices, including optical coatings, sensors, and substrates. Damage can be instantaneous, from a high-energy pulse, or cumulative, from prolonged exposure.

Damage mechanisms vary by target. In biological tissue, damage arises when photons are absorbed and convert to heat, triggering coagulation or burns (photothermal effects); photochemical processes can also occur at certain wavelengths and doses; ultrafast pulses can create rapid mechanical or plasma effects (photomechanical or photoionization). In materials, lasers can cause ablation, melting, cracking, or aging of coatings and interfaces, driven by absorbed energy, heat diffusion, and mechanical stresses.

Damage thresholds depend on wavelength, pulse duration, energy or irradiance, spot size, exposure time, and the optical or biological properties of the target. Short-pulse, high-peak-power lasers tend to produce nonlinear and mechanical damage, while continuous-wave lasers rely mainly on thermal effects. Safety standards establish damage thresholds and exposure limits that are wavelength- and regime-specific, such as Maximum Permissible Exposure guidelines.

Protection and mitigation emphasize engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and proper procedural practices. Eye and skin protection with appropriate eyewear and clothing is essential; laser enclosures, interlocks, beam dumps, and warning systems reduce accidental exposure. For optics and devices, careful handling, proper coatings, and clean, controlled environments minimize inadvertent damage.

Applications of lasers often rely on controlled damage or modification, such as surgical tissue effects or precision material processing, while avoiding unintended damage through proper safety planning and risk assessment.