Infrared Filters

All SKYlasers green lasers and green portable lasers are equipped with Infrared filters.

Infrared filters, or IR filters for short, are designed to reflect or block infrared radiation while letting visible light pass. In the process of producing a green laser beam, DPSS green lasers emit a fair amount of infrared radiation. IR filters are therefore placed near the aperture of high quality green lasers to ensure no IR radiation is loosely emitted.

Infrared radiation can be potentially dangerous because it is invisible to the human eyes. Visit electromagnetic spectrum to learn which lasers are visible lasers, and which are invisible. Despite not being visible, IR light can still pass through the anterior structures of the eye and damage the retina. Since our eyes are unable to detect IR, there will not be any blink or aversion reflexes to protect your eyes from damage.

Even though infrared radiation can be potentially dangerous, many manufacturers do not equip their green lasers with IR filters. There are several reasons why:

• 1. Adding an IR filter increases cost.
• 2. Adding an IR filter reduces power output.
• 3. Adding an IR filter reduces burning abilities.
• 4. Adding an IR filter takes time and highly skilled technicians.

A green laser with an IR filter is brighter. Suppose you purchased a 125mW green laser without an IR filter. When you measure this laser on a laser power meter, you are actually measuring the power of both green light and infrared light. Like diluting solid green paint with water, green laser light is being diluted with invisible IR light.

By purchasing a 125mW green laser with an IR filter, you are getting 125mW of pure green light that is not diluted. The laser will appear brighter. See our laser resource section to learn more about lasers.