Mixed reality for laser safety at advanced optics laboratories

Abstract

Nowadays, high-power and multi-spectral lasers are increasingly demanded in many scientific experiments and industrial processes. However, direct exposure to these laser sources can lead to permanent eye damage. Individuals conducting research and development with these laser sources are required to wear laser safety goggles as a form of eye protection. Currently, most laser safety goggles are based on optical spectral filters, which could filter up to 99 % of the visible spectrum, rendering researchers working in hazardous and complex laboratory environments visually impaired. In this work, we present a novel laser eye protection method that could provide full-band laser protection without reducing the user's visibility of the environment. We demonstrate a system based on a virtual reality (VR) headset with a stereoscopic see-through camera, which could be constructed in a way that all laser and ambient light is blocked from the human eyes. We revisit an empirical evaluation of our prototype conducted at the laser science and technology group (FS-LA) at DESY with 18 participants, including 14 laser experts. The evaluation results reveal that MR technology has the potential to offer a safe alternative to conventional laser safety goggles and has tremendous prospects in improving the complex and hazardous working conditions at advanced optics laboratories.