Proper switchgear operation and standard daily maintenance are the basis for ensuring the long-term stable operation of lasers and maximizing performance.Not only can improper operation easily damage core components such as pump source,crystals,optical lenses and power modules,but it can also cause serious safety risks such as laser radiation, electric shock and even fire.

To this end,this paper will systematically expound solid-state lasers The standard switch-on and switch-off process,key maintenance points and necessary safety measures are aimed at helping operators and technical researchers fully master the standard operation methods,effectively improve the efficiency and service life of the equipment , and ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.

01 Instructions for the laser interface

• Nanosecond laser:The power supply and laser are separated,and the power supply and laser interface are shown as follows:

△ Femtosecond / Picosecond and Nanosecond Lasers are Equipped with Power

△Nanosecond Laser Interface Annotation Diagram

• Femtosecond / picosecond laser:Integrated laser,power supply and water chiller.In a conventional configuration,the remaining core components,except for the water cooler, are provided by our company.The laser and its interface are shown as follows:

△ Picosecond Laser Interface and Button Annotation Diagram

02 Safety and Protection Requirements for Laser Switchgear

In the process of operation,solid lasers will produce high-energy laser beams,which are accompanied by high-voltage electricity,high temperature, strong light reflection and other risks.In order to ensure the personal safety of operators and the stability of equipment,the following safety protection requirements must be strictly followed:

(1) Safety Protection of Laser Radiation

Laser radiation is the most important safety risk of solid masher,and protective measures should be implemented according to the laser level (usually solid masher is Class 4, a high danger laser).

①Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Wear laser protective glasses:You must wear special protective glasses that match the laser output wavelength.Regularly inspect the lens for scratches and cracks.If damaged,replace immediately.
• Wear protective clothing and gloves:wear flame-retardant and laser-scattering-proof protective clothing(avoid exposing the skin),and wear special gloves for high temperature and laser burns.

②Optical Road Safety Control

• Make sure the entire light path is closed or set up a physical isolation barrier before starting the system.
• When adjusting the light path, you need to turn the laser to low power mode and monitor the energy in real time using a laser power meter.

③Warning signs set up

• Post prominent laser radiation hazard warning signs on the entrance to the operating room and around the laser,indicating the laser wavelength and power rating;
• When the laser is turned on,the red warning light needs to be lighted to prohibit unrelated persons from entering the operation area.

(2) Electrical Safety Protection

Solid-state lasers are equipped with high-voltage electrical sources and high-power pump sources,which exist electrical risks such as electric shock and short circuit.

①Grounding and Insulation Inspections

• Before starting the operation,it must be confirmed that the grounding of the equipment is reliable (grounding resistance ≤ 4Ω);
• Check the power lines, plugs,and sockets regularly for damage and aging,and damaged insulation needs to be immediately stopped.

②Operating specification requirements

• Operators should wear insulated shoes;
• Wet hands are strictly forbidden to touch power switches, control buttons or the internal electrical components of the equipment.

③Emergency Management

• In the event of an electrical failure (e.g., a leak or a flood),immediately disconnect the total power supply.

(3) Environment and Personnel Management

①Inter-operational environmental requirements

• It is necessary to maintain good ventilation between operations to prevent the accumulation of harmful gases such as ozone and metal vapor generated during processing.
• A fire extinguisher (dry powder or carbon dioxide extinguisher) should also be provided in case of need from time to time.

②Credentials and management of personnel

• Operators must be professionally trained and familiar with the working principles of lasers, operating procedures and safety regulations;
• Unlicensed persons are strictly prohibited from operating lasers.

③Emergency Rescue Preparation

• Develop emergency response plans, including first aid procedures for accidents such as laser burns, electric shocks, and fires;
• Equipped with first aid kits (including burn cream, insulated gloves, etc.) and organized emergency drills on a regular basis.

03 Operating Steps of Laser Switchgear

The correct switching process of solid-state lasers is the core operation to ensure the life of the equipment and avoid damage to optical / electronic components,which should strictly follow the ” cooling first and pumping later,pumping first and cooling later ” core principle.

△ Turn on / off the Machine

Note:The laser needs to be preheated(such as 15 minutes)after water and electricity,so that it can reach the state of thermal stability,in order to ensure the stability of the laser output power / energy.

(1) Start-up Process

The solid laser auxiliary system (cooling, venting, etc.) needs to be started before the mainframe to ensure heat dissipation and safety.

①Start the cooling system

• Water-cooled model:Turn on the power switch of the water-cooled machine,check whether the level of coolant is between the scale lines,set the target temperature of the water-cooled machine (usually 20 ℃ ~ 25 ℃),which should be consistent with the laser;
• Air-cooled model:Confirm that the fan speed is normal and there is no abnormal noise.

②Start other assistive systems

Turn on the interoperating exhaust system,and if laser processing is involved,turn on the dust removal and smoke removal device to prevent the accumulation of harmful gases.

③Set operational parameters

In the control system interface,input and output power,pulse frequency, pulse wideness,working mode and other preset operation parameters;Once you have confirmed that the parameter is set correctly,click “Save the parameter” to ensure that the parameter remains locked and to prevent the manipulation of the parameter.

④Laser output operation

Clicking the “Laser Enabling” button of the control system,the laser enters the output state and slowly increases the output power(each increase is ≤10% of the rated power),while monitoring with a power meter whether the actual output power is consistent with the set value.After the power is stabilized,the laser output mode and the shape of the spot are confirmed to meet the requirements before they can be officially put into use.

(2) Shutdown Process

The operating process needs to be followed in a step-by-step manner.The core principle is to disconnect the pump source,release the energy storage / high pressure, cool the system and stop the operation to avoid equipment failure due to thermal shock,high pressure residue or optical damage.

①Step-by-step shutdown of operations (core steps)

• First,cut off the pump source as the main heating source to avoid overheating of the gain medium:
• Keep the cooling system running and carry out waste heat dissipation;
• Finally turn off the mains power and auxiliary systems.

②Reverse the power supply in order

When you turn off the power supply, you must operate in the following order:

• Turn off the laser host power switch;
• Turn off the water cooler / wind cooling system power;
• Turn off the power supply of the external control unit (such as motion controller, industrial control machine, etc.);
• Finally, disconnect the general power switch (such as the switch breaker).

(3) Protection of Optical Systems

If the laser is down for a long period of time (more than 24 hours),you need to:

• Cover the resonance cavity input / output mirror and fiber-optic coupled ports with a dust cover to prevent dust pollution of the optical surface;
• For optical components using organic coatings, avoid ambient humidity > 60% and place a desiccant when necessary;
• It is prohibited to touch optical surfaces with your hands, and if cleaning is required, use dedicated optical wipe paper and waterless ethanol.

Regulating the switchgear operation of lasers is a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring the stable operation of equipment,the safe conduct of experiments and the health protection of personnel.From environmental inspection,parameter reconciliation,to each step of operation and condition monitoring in the switchgear,it needs to be rigorous and meticulous,and cannot be neglected.

Laser as a high-energy precision equipment,its operating norms directly related to the equipment’s service life and personnel safety.Only by firmly establishing safety awareness and strictly following operating procedures can we effectively avoid equipment failure and laser damage risks.All operators must put safety and standard first,start with standardized operation,ensure that every laser operation can be completed efficiently and safely,and build a solid safety line for scientific research and production work.

Appendix:Laser Safety Features

①Laser safety marking

The side label of the laser indicates technical parameters such as the output wavelength,power and pulse width of the laser,and a hazard warning sign is affixed to the front.The triangular label indicates the direction of the laser emission,and the bared window displays the laser hazard warning,as follows:

△ List of Hazard Warning Signs

②Laser Safety Levels

All the lasers of Huachuang Hongdu belong to Class IV Class Lasers (greater than 500mw),According to Chinese standard GB 7247.1-2012,also classified as Class 4.Appropriate precautions should be taken to prevent direct exposure of the output beam or reflected beam to the human body.Both scattered light and reflected light can cause serious damage to the skin and eyes.Therefore,operators should always wear appropriate protective glasses during operation.

Safety Requirements for operating lasers with a radiation strength rating of 4:

• It is strictly forbidden under any circumstances to open the casing of the laser cavity;
• For grade 4 laser products, signs should be placed near the area where the laser is operated;
• Reflected light is just as harmful as scattered light, so you should avoid looking directly at the output beam of the laser.
• A protective eye mask must be worn when using the laser (the 355 nm band has a high reflectivity);
• Equipment integrators should make the optical path system as closed as possible;
• A principle must be followed during use: the light path cannot be at the same height as the human eye.

③Electrical Safety Instructions

The power supply voltage of the laser device is single-phase AC 220V AC,It must be ensured that the live, neutral and ground lines are correctly connected according to the marking.Note:Do not mix the power supply of different models.Otherwise,it may cause damage to the equipment.

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