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Answer to Question #5786 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Lasers The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
I do research on laser welding. Does an Nd:YAG (high-power) laser welder produce x rays or other ionizing radiations? A
Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers do not produce x rays as used in welding applications. There are some new research applications in nanotechnology wherein
Nd:YAG lasers are used to ablate materials by concentrating the laser
energy into subpicosecond (shorter than a millionth of a millionth
of a second) pulses. The physical interactions due to the extremely
high rate of energy deposition at the surface of materials exposed to
such pulses can cause production of x rays. If your research involves
using subpicosecond pulses for laser ablation then you should be
involving your x-ray safety officer as well as your laser safety
officer in the review of your procedures.
Just because there are no x rays does not diminish the hazards of
working with high-power lasers for welding. Both the direct and the
reflected beams from Class IV lasers are capable of causing immediate
and permanent damage to the eye or body, or of starting fires. You
should consult with your institutional laser safety officer to make
sure that you have all safety controls and precautions in place before
using a Class IV laser.
Answer posted on 11 September 2006. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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