A novel active laser safety shield

New high power lasers with excellent beam parameter products like fibre and disk lasers offer not only new possibilities with material processing. Their use is also connected with high demands on laser safety. Conventional laser protection systems are passive systems made of massive shields or housings which resist the direct or indirect laser radiation for a specified time. The operator has to inspect the systems to ensure the functionality and safety. The risk of dangerous penetration or destruction by the laser beam increases enormously with smaller beam parameter products and higher laser power. Therefore it becomes more and more complicated and expensive to protect users and equipment against laser emission and to follow laser safety instructions, standards and regulations. The novel laser safety shield offers an active protection against direct and indirect laser radiation. In comparison with other active laser safety systems, no destruction of the wall elements is required to identify dangerous laser radiation. Furthermore, the system can be installed easily and flexibly and it is applicable for all kinds of lasers.