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PUBLICATIONS

A Green Laser Pointer Hazard

Published

Author(s)

Jemellie Galang, Alessandro Restelli, Edward W. Hagley, Charles W. Clark

Abstract

An inexpensive green laser pointer was found to emit 20 mW of infrared radiation during normal use. This is potentially a serious hazard that would not be noticed by most users of such pointers. We find that the problem derives from an unsafe design, and describe a simple method of testing for it using common household items.
Citation
Technical Note (NIST TN) - 1668
Report Number
1668
NIST Pub Series
Technical Note (NIST TN)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

green laser pointer, infrared radiation, hazard
Physics

Citation

Galang, J. , Restelli, A. , Hagley, E. and Clark, C. (2010), A Green Laser Pointer Hazard, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=906138 (Accessed October 14, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created August 2, 2010, Updated February 19, 2017
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