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Description / Abstract:
Scope and object
This part of IEC 61292, which is a technical report, applies to
all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs), including
optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres, as well as
Raman amplifiers. Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) using
semiconductor gain media are also included.
This technical report provides a simple informative guideline on
the threshold of high optical power that causes high-temperature
damage of fibre. Also discussed is optical safety for manufacturers
and users of optical amplifiers by reiterating substantial parts of
existing standards and agreements on eye and skin safety.
To identify the maximum permissible optical power in the optical
amplifier from damage-free and safety viewpoints, this technical
report identifies the following values:
– the optical power limit that causes thermal damage to the
fibre, such as fibre fuse and fibre-coat burning;
– the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) to which the eyes/skin
can be exposed without consequential injury;
– the optical power limit in the fibre that causes MPE on the
eyes/skin after free-space propagation from the fibre;
– the absolute allowable damage-free and safe level of optical
power of the optical amplifier by comparing (a) and (c).
The objective of this technical report is to minimize potential
confusion and misunderstanding in the industry that might cause
unnecessary alarm and hinder the progress and acceptance of
advancing optical amplifier technologies and markets.
It is important to point out that the reader should always refer
to the latest international standards and agreements because the
technologies concerned are rapidly evolving. In fact, the concept
of hazard level and labelling is still evolving: more rigorous
labelling requirements are under discussion in IEC Technical
Committee 76 as of October 2008.
The present technical report will be frequently reviewed and
will be updated by incorporating the results of various studies
related to OAs and OA-supported optical systems in a timely
manner.