Protective materials for subpicosecond Ti:sapphire lasers

The high intensities provided by short-pulse Ti:sapphire laser systems call for the utilization of appropriate eye-protecting materials. We summarize the representative results of our characterization measurements on optical filters employed for laser radiation protection. Physical effects are discussed that influence the transmission (and thus the protective properties) of the investigated materials. Potential hazard factors have been recognized and characterized. We make recommendations to the extension of the current characterization methods and illustrate the acquired information in the form of operation charts.