When operated within their specifications, laser diodes have extremely long lifetimes. Most failures occur from mishandling or operating the lasers beyond their maximum ratings. Laser diodes are among the most static-sensitive devices currently made and proper ESD protection should be worn whenever handling a laser diode. Due to their extreme electrostatic sensitivity, laser diodes cannot be returned after their sealed package has been opened. Laser diodes in their original sealed package can be returned for a full refund or credit.

Handling and Storage Precautions

Because of their extreme susceptibility to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD), care should be taken whenever handling and operating laser diodes.

Wrist Straps
Use grounded anti-static wrist straps whenever handling diodes.

Anti-Static Mats
Always work on grounded anti-static mats.

Laser Diode Storage
When not in use, short the leads of the laser together to protect against ESD damage.

Operating and Safety Precautions

Use an Appropriate Driver
Laser diodes require precise control of operating current and voltage to avoid overdriving the laser. In addition, the laser driver should provide protection against power supply transients. Select a laser driver appropriate for your application. Do not use a voltage supply with a current-limiting resistor since it does not provide sufficient regulation to protect the laser diode.

Power Meters
When setting up and calibrating a laser diode with its driver, use a NIST-traceable power meter to precisely measure the laser output. It is usually safest to measure the laser diode output directly before placing the laser in an optical system. If this is not possible, be sure to take all optical losses (transmissive, aperture stopping, etc.) into consideration when determining the total output of the laser.

Reflections
Flat surfaces in the optical system in front of a laser diode can cause some of the laser energy to reflect back onto the laser’s monitor photodiode, giving an erroneously high photodiode current. If optical components are moved within the system and energy is no longer reflected onto the monitor photodiode, a constant-power feedback loop will sense the drop in photodiode current and try to compensate by increasing the laser drive current and possibly overdriving the laser. Back reflections can also cause other malfunctions or damage to laser diodes. To avoid this, be sure that all surfaces are angled 5-10°, and when necessary, use optical isolators to attenuate direct feedback into the laser.

Heat Sinks
Laser diode lifetime is inversely proportional to operating temperature. Always mount the laser diode in a suitable heat sink to remove excess heat from the laser package.

Voltage and Current Overdrive
Be careful not to exceed the maximum voltage and drive current listed on the specification sheet with each laser diode, even momentarily. Also, reverse voltages as little as 3 V can damage a laser diode.

ESD-Sensitive Device
Laser diodes are susceptible to ESD damage even during operation. This is particularly aggravated by using long interface cables between the laser diode and its driver due to the inductance that the cable presents. Avoid exposing the laser diode or its mounting apparatus to ESD at all times.

ON/OFF and Power-Supply-Coupled Transients
Due to their fast response times, laser diodes can be easily damaged by transients less than 1 µs. High-current devices such as soldering irons, vacuum pumps, and fluorescent lamps can cause large momentary transients, and thus surge-protected outlets should always be used when working with laser diodes.

If you have any questions regarding laser diodes, please contact Thorlabs Technical Support for assistance.

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

• Laser safety eyewear must be worn whenever working with Class 3 or 4 lasers.
• Regardless of laser class, Thorlabs recommends the use of laser safety eyewear whenever working with laser beams with non-negligible powers, 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 Safety Curtains and Laser Safety Fabric shield other parts of the lab from high energy lasers.
• 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.
• A fiber-pigtailed laser should always be turned off before connecting it to or disconnecting it from another fiber, especially when the laser is at power levels above 10 mW.
• 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 a laser sign with a lightbox 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 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	Class 3R lasers produce visible and invisible light that is hazardous under direct and specular-reflection viewing conditions. Eye injuries may occur if you directly view the beam, especially when using optical instruments. 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 in this class are limited to 5 mW of output power.
3B	Class 3B lasers are hazardous to the eye if exposed directly. Diffuse reflections are usually not harmful, but may be when using higher-power Class 3B lasers. Safe handling of devices in this class includes wearing protective eyewear where direct viewing of the laser beam may occur. Lasers of this class must be equipped with a key switch and a safety interlock; moreover, laser safety signs should be used, such that the laser cannot be used without the safety light turning on. Laser products with power output near the upper range of Class 3B may also cause skin burns.
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.