1 Scope
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 document provides informative guidelines on the threshold of high optical power
that can cause high-temperature damage of the fibre. Also discussed is optical safety
for manufacturers and users of optical amplifiers by quoting parts of existing standards
and agreements on eye and skin safety.
This document identifies the following values for maximum permissible optical power
in the optical amplifier for damage-free and safe operation:
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a) the optical power limit that causes thermal damage to the fibre, such as fibre fuse and fibre-coat burning;
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b) the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) to which the eyes/skin can be exposed without consequent injury;
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c) the optical power limit in the fibre that causes MPE on the eyes/skin after free-space propagation from the fibre;
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d) the absolute allowable optical power level for damage-free and safe operation of the optical amplifier by comparing a) and c).
The objective of this document is to minimize potential confusion and misunderstanding
in the industry that can cause unnecessary alarms and hinder the progress and acceptance
of advancing optical amplifier technologies in the market.
It is important that the reader always refers to the latest international standards
and agreements, because the technologies concerned are rapidly evolving.
The present document will be frequently reviewed and updated in a timely manner by
incorporating the results of various studies related to OAs and OA-supported optical systems.