Laser Device Use at the Weizmann Institute of Science

The Weizmann Institute of Science uses both open laser systems and confined laser systems.

Open laser systems: Optical systems with direct access to the laser beams on optical tables. The laser beam’s movement is generally parallel to the plane of the optical table.

Confined (closed) laser systems: Systems built so that the laser beam is locked and protected inside the device, using safety mechanisms that prevent uncontrolled access and exposure to the laser beam, including the FACS (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) system and most confocal microscopes.

A laser beam’s accidental contact with a human body may cause significant harm. Therefore, everything possible should be done to prevent such an occurrence. On this site, we will present the laser beam’s primary attributes, how it interacts with biological tissue, and the safety systems built at the Weizmann Institute of Science. The information is designed to provide laser system users with tools for preventing exposure to potential risks from the laser beam.