Blackout Materials
OVERVIEW
Blackout Materials Selection
- Black Rubberized Fabric
- Hard Construction Board
- Black Posterboard
- Black Flocked Self-Adhesive Paper
- Black Aluminum Foil
- Black Masking Tape
- High Performance Black Masking Tape
Summary
Thorlabs offers a complete selection of blackout materials that are designed for stray or ambient light control. They are not intended to be used as beam dumps.
Stray light can adversely affect photodetectors and experiments. These materials are especially beneficial when using high-gain detection equipment, such as in photon counting experiments, since high-gain detectors are easily saturated by room light. Blackout materials are also used in ellipsometry and certain polarimetry techniques, where ambient light produces signal modulations that adversely impact accuracy.
LASER SAFETY
Laser Safety and Classification
Safe practices and proper usage of safety equipment should be taken into consideration when operating lasers. The eye is susceptible to injury, even from very low levels of laser light. Thorlabs offers a range of laser safety accessories that can be used to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Laser emission in the visible and near infrared spectral ranges has the greatest potential for retinal injury, as the cornea and lens are transparent to those wavelengths, and the lens can focus the laser energy onto the retina.
Safe Practices and Light Safety Accessories
- Thorlabs recommends the use of safety eyewear whenever working with laser beams with non-negligible powers (i.e., > Class 1) since metallic tools such as screwdrivers can accidentally redirect a beam.
- Laser goggles designed for specific wavelengths should be clearly available near laser setups to protect the wearer from unintentional laser reflections.
- Goggles are marked with the wavelength range over which protection is afforded and the minimum optical density within that range
- Laser Barriers and Blackout Materials can prevent direct or reflected light from leaving the experimental setup area.
- Thorlabs' Enclosure Systems can be used to contain optical setups to isolate or minimize laser hazards.
- All beams should be terminated at the edge of the table, and laboratory doors should be closed whenever a laser is in use.
- Do not place laser beams at eye level.
- Carry out experiments on an optical table such that all laser beams travel horizontally.
- Remove unnecessary reflective items such as reflective jewelry (e.g., rings, watches, etc.) while working near the beam path.
- Be aware that lenses and other optical devices may reflect a portion of the incident beam from the front or rear surface.
- Operate a laser at the minimum power necessary for any operation.
- If possible, reduce the output power of a laser during alignment procedures.
- Use beam shutters and filters to reduce the beam power.
- Post appropriate warning signs or labels near laser setups or rooms.
- Use laser sign lightboxes if operating Class 3R or 4 lasers (i.e., lasers requiring the use of a safety interlock).
- Do not use Laser Viewing Cards in place of a proper Laser Barrier or Beam Trap.
Laser Classification
Lasers are categorized into different classes according to their ability to cause eye and other damage. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies. The IEC document 60825-1 outlines the safety of laser products. A description of each class of laser is given below:
| Class | Description | Warning Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | This class of laser is safe under all conditions of normal use, including use with optical instruments for intrabeam viewing. Lasers in this class do not emit radiation at levels that may cause injury during normal operation, and therefore the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) cannot be exceeded. Class 1 lasers can also include enclosed, high-power lasers where exposure to the radiation is not possible without opening or shutting down the laser. |  |
| 1M | Class 1M lasers are safe except when used in conjunction with optical components such as telescopes and microscopes. Lasers belonging to this class emit large-diameter or divergent beams, and the MPE cannot normally be exceeded unless focusing or imaging optics are used to narrow the beam. However, if the beam is refocused, the hazard may be increased and the class may be changed accordingly. |  |
| 2 | Class 2 lasers, which are limited to 1 mW of visible continuous-wave radiation, are safe because the blink reflex will limit the exposure in the eye to 0.25 seconds. This category only applies to visible radiation (400 - 700 nm). |  |
| 2M | Because of the blink reflex, this class of laser is classified as safe as long as the beam is not viewed through optical instruments. This laser class also applies to larger-diameter or diverging laser beams. |  |
| 3R | Lasers in this class are considered safe as long as they are handled with restricted beam viewing. The MPE can be exceeded with this class of laser, however, this presents a low risk level to injury. Visible, continuous-wave lasers are limited to 5 mW of output power in this class. |  |
| 3B | Class 3B lasers are hazardous to the eye if exposed directly. However, diffuse reflections are not harmful. Safe handling of devices in this class includes wearing protective eyewear where direct viewing of the laser beam may occur. In addition, laser safety signs lightboxes should be used with lasers that require a safety interlock so that the laser cannot be used without the safety light turning on. Class-3B lasers must be equipped with a key switch and a safety interlock. |  |
| 4 | This class of laser may cause damage to the skin, and also to the eye, even from the viewing of diffuse reflections. These hazards may also apply to indirect or non-specular reflections of the beam, even from apparently matte surfaces. Great care must be taken when handling these lasers. They also represent a fire risk, because they may ignite combustible material. Class 4 lasers must be equipped with a key switch and a safety interlock. |  |
| All class 2 lasers (and higher) must display, in addition to the corresponding sign above, this triangular warning sign |  | |
Blackout Material
Rubberized Coating
Double-Layered Use is Recommended for Extremely Sensitive ApplicationsThis black rubberized fabric provides an easy method for protecting light-sensitive equipment, as the rubberized coating prevents light from penetrating through the weave of the fabric. Double-layer use is recommended for extremely sensitive applications. Please note that this material is not intended for use as a laser curtain since it is not flame retardant. The fabric has also not been tested for clean room compatibility.
We can cut this material into custom lengths (in yards) that fit your application. Please contact Tech Support for a quote.
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
BK5 |
60" (W) x 3 yds. (L) x 0.005" (T) (1.5 m x 2.7 m x 0.12 mm) Blackout Fabric |
$46.00 |
Today |
Black Hardboard and Posterboard
Cuts Easily with Utility Knife
Build Light-Tight Boxes
TB4: This heavy-duty construction board, which measures 5 mm thick, consists of a dense foam core sandwiched between two plastic-coated, moisture-resistant cardboard outer layers. The material cuts easily with a utility knife for construction of light-tight boxes. We recommend using our 2" (5 cm) wide black masking tape (T137-2.0, sold below) for corners and other joints to eliminate the passage of light through those areas. Custom sizes up to 45" x 93" (114.3 cm x 236.2 cm) are available upon request; please contact Technical Support for a quote.
TB5: These 1/16" thick panels are ideal for erecting light-tight enclosures. Simply score the board with a utility knife and fold to make light-tight corners.
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
TB4 |
Black Hardboard, 24" x 24", 5 mm Thick, 3 Sheets |
$60.90 |
Today |
TB5 |
Black Posterboard, 20" x 30", 1/16" Thick, 5 Sheets |
$44.00 |
Today |
Black Flocked Self-Adhesive Paper
Self-Adhesive
Does Not Shed Dust or Lint
30" x 30" x 0.012" (76.2 cm x 76.2 cm x 0.305 mm) Without BackingImage contrast can suffer due to stray light reaching the focal plane of many applications where the light path travels through a tube or other enclosed area. Applying a flat-black paint to the inside may help, but a textured matte-black surface is a much more effective light trap.
Flocked paper is a self-adhesive material made of many fine fibers. When looked at from low angles, it absorbs virtually 100% of the light that strikes it. The fibers will not shed dust or lint, unlike some velvet and felt materials. The approximate compressed thickness of the flocked paper is 0.015" (0.381 mm) with the backing and 0.012" (0.305 mm) without the backing.
Caution: Do not cut the BFP1 black flocked paper with a laser cutting tool, as the BFP1 burns easily and may catch fire. It is suggested that you use a utility knife or other sharp edged tool to cut the BFP1.
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
BFP1 |
Black Flocked Paper, 30" x 30" |
$28.40 |
3-5 Days |
Black Aluminum Foil
- Ideal for Masking Light Leaks and Eliminating Unwanted Reflections
- Highly Flexible, Lightweight, and Corrosion Resistant
- Use with a Wide Range of Radiation Sources (Including X-Ray and UV)
This black foil material is mainly used to block out light. It has a matte black finish to absorb light from any ambient or conventional light source. The foil is ideal for masking light leaks and eliminating unwanted reflections. It can be molded quickly to form blackout covers, dark rooms, laser channels, or other configurations. Lightweight, yet durable, it can be quickly positioned in place with tape, staples, or adhesives.
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
BKF12 |
Matte Black Aluminum Foil, 12" x 50' x .002" |
$28.50 |
Today |
Black Masking Tape
- Paper-Based Masking Tape for General Purpose or Blackout Applications
- Aluminum Foil Tape for Total Blackout Applications
- Can be Torn by Hand and Removed Easily Without Leaving Residue
Thorlabs offers two types of black masking tape and an aluminum foil tape. All types of tape can be torn by hand, are easy to remove, and do not leave residue. The T137-1.0 and T137-2.0 black masking tape can be used for general applications. For applications requiring minimal ambient light transmission, a high-performance black masking tape (T743-1.0 or T743-2.0) is recommended. For total blackout requirements or high-power applications, we offer a non-reflective, flame-retardant aluminum tape (T205-1.0 or T205-2.0). This foil tape has been tested to withstand up to 10 seconds of exposure from a 20 W, Ø6 mm, 10.6 µm laser beam.
In the photographs shown above, a collimated LED (M530L2-C2) with approximately 170 mW output power was used to illustrate how the T743-2.0 allows very little light transmission as compared to the T137-2.0 black masking tape. The table below gives the measured power and percent transmittance when various wavelengths of light were incident upon each type of tape.
| Laser (Wavelength) | Measured Power (% Transmittance) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Incident Power |
T137-2.0 (Masking Tape) |
T743-2.0 (High-Performance Masking Tape) |
T205-2.0 (Aluminum Foil Tape) |
|
| CPS180 (635 nm) | 1.07 mW (100%) | 1.34 µW (0.13%) | 0.90 µW (0.08%) | Zero (0%) |
| CPS182 (635 nm) | 4.79 mW (100%) | 5.92 µW (0.12%) | 0.24 µW (<0.01%) | Zero (0%) |
| HRS015 (632.991 nm) | 1.41 mW (100%) | 3.36 µW (0.24%) | 0.012 µW (<0.01%) | Zero (0%) |
| LDM850 (850 nm) | 20.34 mW (100%) | 28.74 µW (0.14%) | 1.04 µW (<0.01%) | 0.0006 µW (<1 x 10-5%) |
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
T137-1.0 |
Black Masking Tape, 1" x 60 yds. (25 mm x 55 m) Roll |
$8.90 |
Today |
T137-2.0 |
Black Masking Tape, 2" x 60 yds. (50 mm x 55 m) Roll |
$14.90 |
Today |
T743-1.0 |
High-Performance Black Masking Tape, 1" x 60 yds. (25 mm x 55 m) Roll |
$18.50 |
Today |
T743-2.0 |
High-Performance Black Masking Tape, 2" x 60 yds. (50 mm x 55 m) Roll |
$36.90 |
Today |
T205-1.0 |
Customer Inspired!AT205 Black Aluminum Foil Tape 1" x 27 yds. (25 mm x 25 m) Roll |
$28.00 |
Today |
T205-2.0 |
Customer Inspired!AT205 Black Aluminum Foil Tape 2" x 27 yds. (50 mm x 25 m) Roll |
$54.00 |
Today |