Safety of Laser Beam Propagation in the Atmosphere

Abstract

  Laser beams are propagated to the sky in various wavelength and power levels for laser light show, astronomical observations, weather-monitoring, etc., and the application has been expanding. Our company has a track record of the safety high power laser beam propagation in the atmosphere through R&D programs, the high power laser system for MOD and L-SSPS for JAXA. In this paper, I introduce the regulations of laser beam propagation to the sky in U.S.A. where the legislation has been progressed, and propose the need for drawing up Japanese ground rules in order to continue safe laser beam propagation to the sky into the future.