Laser cleaning technology uses a high-energy laser beam to irradiate the surface of the workpiece, removing contaminants through thermal effects, light pressure shock or photochemical effects. Although laser cleaning has the advantages of high efficiency and environmental protection, the laser radiation generated during its operation is extremely risky to the eyes of the operator. Therefore, wearing appropriate laser protective glasses has become a key part of protective measures.
The specific reasons are as follows:
1. Prevent corneal damage: Lasers can accurately remove contaminants on the surface of the workpiece, but at the same time they may also cause burns or perforations to the cornea of the eye, causing permanent damage to vision.
2. Avoid lens opacity: Laser radiation may cause lens opacity, form cataracts, affect vision and require surgical treatment.
3. Prevent retinal damage: Laser beams can cause irreversible damage to the retina after penetrating the eyeball, and even cause blindness.
4. Reduce eyelid and conjunctival damage: These protective structures on the surface of the eye are susceptible to damage from lasers, which may cause inflammation or ulcers.
5. Reduce intraocular pressure and the risk of glaucoma: Certain types of lasers may increase intraocular pressure, thereby increasing the risk of glaucoma.
In laser cleaning technology, commonly used laser wavelengths include 200nm, 248nm, 1060nm, etc. These wavelengths correspond to the output of different types of lasers, such as the 248nm wavelength of excimer lasers and the 1060nm wavelength of fiber lasers. Each wavelength of laser exhibits unique behavior and effects when interacting with materials.
For example, shorter wavelength ultraviolet lasers (such as 200nm) are often used to clean organic pollutants because the high photon energy is sufficient to break the molecular bonds of organic matter, which is suitable for applications such as removing dirt from the surface of cultural relics or surface contamination of microelectronic devices. Longer wavelength infrared lasers (such as 1060nm) are often used to remove inorganic pollutants, such as rust or aging coatings on metal surfaces.
In summary, in order to effectively prevent these potential hazards, wearing laser protective glasses is an indispensable safety measure. Such glasses can effectively absorb or reflect lasers of specific wavelengths, attenuate the beam to a safe level, and allow operators to see the laser beam for necessary operations and calibration. When choosing laser protective glasses, factors such as the characteristics of the laser, optical density, visible light transmittance, and the suitability of the frame need to be considered.