The American National StandardsInstitute (ANSI) Z136 family of doc-uments continues to serve as the core

for all other professional and regulatory stan-dards across the United States. They reflect theprudent conscience of management especially inthe medical setting. However, the old saying of‘leading the horse to water’ has never proventruer. The practical application of the ANSIZ136.3 Safe Use of Lasers in Health CareFacilities, the resultant documents, and imple-mentation for new aesthetic/cosmetic procedureshas never been more sporadic or disjoined.

Let’s take a moment to go back to the coreof laser use and regulation. The original

Z136.3 was developed in a world where med-ical lasers were used almost exclusively, withthe exception of ophthalmics, in a hospitaloperating room. In the hospital setting laserregulation and use followed the tried and truepolicy relating to Standard of Care.

As the lasers left the main OR and venturedinto the day surgery arena the level and stan-dard of care, education, record-keeping andimplementation had to be the same. JCAHOand other organizations monitored just suchthings in their review. Even as the lasers foundtheir way into the new free-standing surgerycenters of the early 1990s the standard and the

July/August 2006

LIA TODAYLIA TODAYThe Official Newsletter of the Laser Institute of America

The professional society dedicated to fostering lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide.

13501 Ingenuity Drive, Suite 128; Orlando, FL 32826 Phone: 407.380.1553 Fax: 407.380.5588http://www.laserinstitute.org

Volume 14, Number 4

Time Travel?Ronald Mallett, a

University of Connecticutphysics professor, thinkstime travel is possible – andhe’s designed an experimentthat could do it, reports theMay 1, 2006 issue ofNewsweek. Basically, hewants to “swirl” empty spacethe way you would swirl cof-fee in a cup, using a laser asthe stirrer. Because space andtime are more or less thesame, swirling empty spacecould also swirl time. Mallettwould then drop subatomicparticles into his roiling cupof space/time and see ifthey’re hurtled a fewnanoseconds into the future,said the article. The idea isbased on Einstein’s theoriesof relativity claims Mallett.

But Robert Ehrlich, aphysicist at George MasonUniversity, says the idea oftime travel is “not disrep-utable” but that Mallett’splan has a major flaw: hisdevice is small enough to siton a desktop. While it mayvery well work, the effectwould be “so small that it

IInnTThhee NNeewwss......

The Importance of Aesthetic Education – Rules & Regulations

(Cont. on pg.14, see In The News…) (Cont. on pg. 8 see Aesthetic)

If you are younger than age 50, you maynot know or have paid attention to, thetruly amazing pioneering research and

actions that enabled your laser technologycareer. Follow then the words of John (Jack) F.Ready, longtime Laser Institute of Americamember and author, at the first InternationalLaser Processing Conference held in Anaheim,Calif. in November 1981.

Laser Processing “The First 20 Years” “The earliest laser workers in the 1960s

found that a small ruby laser could easily meltand vaporize small amounts of metal. Manyfundamental investigations were conducted todetermine the effects of high power laser radia-tion on absorbing surfaces. This paper willreview the relevant physical phenomena. By

the late 1960s,laser develop-ment had pro-gressed to thepoint thatlasers becamepractical pro-duction tools. Forsome applications,like resistor trimming andhole drilling in ceramics, laser processing hasbecome the method of choice. For other appli-cations, like cutting of cloth and of metals,laser processing offers a viable and economi-cally competitive alternative to conventionaltechniques.

“By the early 1970s, advances in the power

(Cont. on pg. 6, see ICALEO)

ICALEO® Celebrates 25 Years

by John Hoopman, CMLSO

by Jack Dyer, Contributing Editor*

Editor-in-Chief..................Peter Baker

Managing Editor...................Kris Stell

Contributing Editor ..............Jack Dyer

Copy Editor ..................Barbara Sams

Copy Editor......................Anja Selnau

Editorial Staff

LIA TODAYLIA TODAY

July/August 2006 2

Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professionalsociety dedicated to fostering lasers, laser applications and

laser safety worldwide. LIA is the secretariat and publisher ofthe ANSI Z136 series of laser safety standards, and is a leadingprovider of laser safety education.

LIA offers educational programs, conferences and sym-posia on the applications of lasers and electro-optics. LIA’sannual International Congress on Applications of Lasers &Electro-Optics (ICALEO®) features the world’s foremost meet-ing on laser materials processing. The biennial InternationalLaser Safety Conference (ILSC®) covers all aspects of lasersafety practice and hazard control.

If you would like more information about the LIA, call407.380.1553, 1.800.34.LASER or visit our home on the Web:www.laserinstitute.org.

LIALIA TTODAODAYYThe Official Newsletter of the Laser Institute of America

LIA TODAY is published bimonthly and strives to educateand inform laser professionals on laser safety and new trendsrelated to laser technology. LIA members receive a free sub-scription to LIA TODAY and the Journal of Laser Applications®,

in addition to discounts on all LIA products and services.The editors of LIA TODAY welcome input from their readers.

Please submit news-related releases, articles of general interest andletters to the editor. Mail us at LIA TODAY, 13501 Ingenuity Drive,Suite 128, Orlando, FL 32826, fax 407.380.5588, or send materialby e-mail to lia@laserinstitute.org.

If you are interested in affordable advertising space in thisnewsletter or a subscription, please contact Jim Naugle at407.380.1553 or 1.800.34.LASER.

Volume 14, Number 4 July/August 2006

IN THIS ISSUE...

Features

Depar tmentsIn The News..............................1Calendar of Events....................2President’s Message..................5Executive Director’s Msg. ......5Welcome New Members ......12Chapter Corner........................13ASC Z136 Update ..................14JLA Update ............................15LIA Announces ......................15

For a complete list of LIA corporate members, visit our corporate directory online at www.laserinstitute.org.

Adver tisersAcademy of Laser Dentistry....9Board of Laser Safety ............16Directed Light ..........................7ILSC ........................................16Kentek........................................4Laser Focus World ................12Lee Laser ................................15NoIR ........................................10Photonics Spectra ....................9Precitec & American LaserEnterprises ..............................14Trinity Technologies ..............11Wilson Industries ......................3

Contact LIA for information onany of the above advertisers.

President – Joseph O’Brien, Trinity Technologies, LLC

President-Elect – William Shiner, IPG Photonics

Past-President – William Clark,Clark-MXR, Inc.

Secretary – Nathaniel Quick,AppliCote Associates, LLC

Treasurer – Rajesh Patel, Spectra-Physics

2006 LIA Officers

LIA’s Calendar of EventsFor more information contact LIA at 1.800.34.LASER

or visit www.laserinstitute.org

Laser Safety Officer TrainingJuly 17-19 • Milton (Toronto) ON, Canada

Aug. 7-9 • Denver, CODec. 4-6 • Orlando, FL

Laser Safety Officer with Hazard AnalysisSept. 18-22 • San Francisco, CAOct. 30-Nov. 3 • Scottsdale, AZ

Feb. 5-9, 2007 • Orlando, FLMar. 26-30, 2007 • San Diego, CA

Medical Laser Safety Officer TrainingSept. 22-23 • Boston, MA

Nov. 10-11 • Las Vegas, NVJan. 26-27, 2007 • San Diego, CA

Laser Safety in the LabAug. 14-15 • Orlando, FL

Medical Aesthetic Lasers &Light Technologies

Aug. 19-20 • Denver, COSept. 16-17 • Boston, MAOct. 14-15 • Chicago, IL

Nov. 18-19 • Houston, TXICALEO® 2006

Oct. 30-Nov. 2 • Scottsdale, AZILSC® 2007

Mar. 19-22 • San Francisco, CA

ICALEO Celebrates 25 Years ....................................1The Importance of AestheticEducation – Rules &Regulations................................1Save the Date!ILSC in 2007 ..........................10

LIA TODAY

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Of course, the Flagship of theWilson line is the Laz-R-Barrier(r)— superior to all other laser curtains.

That’s because Laz-R-Barrier(r)protection curtains contain reflectivelaser radiation and broadband opticalradiation from laser plumes. Thesecurtains protect against accidentaland chronic eye and skin irritation thatcan result from exposure to reflectivelaser beams.

Laz-R-Barrier is flexible, drapableand can be fabricated in most curtainsizes and shapes. When supported onWilson’s easy rolling track framework,the curtains are compatible with inter-locking circuits

Wilson also offers a variety ofLaser Eyewear, designed foradded protection for both operators

and those nearby. This fine qualityEyewear prevents eye injury fromerrant laser beams.

No matter what your needs may be, Wilson has the product line to fulfill your Industrial and Medical laser safety requirements.

Whether it’s Optical Table Barriers, Roller Shades, Window Shades, Beam Stops, Signs, Illuminated Signs or Door Stops,

Wilson has it all.

LIA is international. A quicklook at our membership, boardmembers, JLA contributors or

ICALEO® attendees illustrates this fact.Our Pacific International Conference

on Lasers and Optics (PICALO), launchedin 2004 is another example of our commit-ment to international activities. PICALOwas held in Melbourne in 2004 and 2006and with the guidance of Conference ChairMilan Brandt has made a successful start.

We decided to hold PICALO 2008 inBeijing April 16-18, just a few monthsbefore the Olympic Games. The confer-ence will be held in cooperation withTsinghua University and the LaserProcessing Committee of the China OpticalSociety (LPC-COS).

In June, LIA Director of ConferencesBeth Cohen and I went to Beijing to meetwith Conference Chair Minlin Zhong (pic-tured left) and his LPC-COS colleagues.We made a good start to outlining the pro-

gram and appointing advisory and programcommittees. We then visited Beijing hotelsand made a preliminary selection. Thanksto the Olympics all hotels will be broughtto the best possible standards so conferenceattendees should be very comfortable.

We are planning a post conference tourto the Great Wall so, ever diligent, wetrekked off to check it out and I can reportthat it is, well, Great! I recommend it as aunique experience.

Our host Minlin Zhong advised that inChina “to make guests happy is ourresponsibility” so mark your calendarsApril 16-18, 2008, renew your passports,and prepare to be happy. PICALO 2008further illustrates that LIA is interna-tional. Don’t miss it!

pbaker@laserinstitute.org

LIA TODAY

July/August 20065

LIA Is International

PICALO 2008 Conference ChairMinlin Zhong, left, and LIAExecutive Director Peter Baker.

Executive Director’s Message

It has been a big year for the LIA.As always the LIA staff has beenhard at work. Thanks to Peter Baker

and the talented LIA staff, your LIA con-tinues the tradition of developing new andvital resources for members like you.There are two developments of particularnote. These include the acquisition ofALAW and the continued development ofour regional LIA chapters.

Earlier this spring the LIA announcedthe acquisition of the ALAW conference.The conference was purchased jointly andwill be operated in cooperation with theFMA. The acquisition was undertaken aspart of the ongoing LIA strategy to bringmore resources to the laser end-user. Markyour calendars for the 2007 conference tobe held in Plymouth, Michigan next April.

Recently I had the pleasure of attendinga meeting of the Northeast RegionalChapter of the LIA. The meeting was host-ed by Bo Gu of GSI Lumonics in Bedford,Massachusetts. We enjoyed cocktails, a

wonderful dinner and an engaging presen-tation on nanotechnology.

LIA regional chapters provide a won-derful opportunity for local laser users tonetwork on a regular basis. In addition tothe Northeast Chapter, chapters have beenformed in California and Michigan. If thereis a regional chapter in your area, I encour-age you to participate and introduce otherindustry professionals to the LIA. If youare interested in starting a chapter in yourarea please contact the LIA.

Thank you for your continued supportof LIA. Please enjoy what is left of yoursummer. I look forward to seeing you atICALEO® 2006 in Arizona.

All the best,

President’s Message

LIA President Joseph O’Brien

of C02 lasers had led to deeppenetration laser welding. Thisgreatly increased the range ofmetal thickness, which wassuitable for laser processing.At the end of the seconddecade of laser technology, wesee lasers used in a practicalway for many applications inmaterial processing. We seealso exciting new researchpossibilities, especially forprocessing of semiconductors.Areas such as laser-assistedcrystal re-growth and anneal-ing of ion implantation dam-age point toward new methods

of generating semiconductorcircuitry.

“Through the 1970s, theapplications of laser process-ing have increased steadily.There has been gradual evolu-tion, rather than a suddenexplosion, of applications. Butthe growth has been markedby many innovative concepts,so that laser processing hasbecome the method of choicefor some applications, likeresistor trimming and holedrilling in ceramics. For manyother welding and cuttingoperations, laser processing isan economically competitivealternative to conventionalmethods.” John F. Ready,Honeywell CorporateTechnology Center

After the First 20 Years,What Then?

“We can expect continuedgrowth of the establishedapplications; hardening, weld-ing, drilling, cutting, etc.; notexplosively rapid, but shouldbe steady and consistent as

laser processingbecomes more andmore accepted inindustry as an estab-lished technology.“We expect laser pro-cessing to reach pro-duction status in thesemiconductor indus-try. Later, laser pro-cessing of wafersshould become desir-able for applicationslike annealing of ionimplantation damage.“One of the most excit-ing areas is possibleuse in the fabrication ofelectronic micro-cir-cuitry, like laser anneal-ing. Although still in adevelopmental stage,laser processing of elec-tronic structures offersmany possibilities for

the future.” John F. Ready

Looking Forward: TheNext 25 years – Birth of ICALEO

In 1978, the Laser Instituteof America decided to sponsoran international conference onlaser materials processing. Atthe same time, under the lead-ership of that year’s presidentDavid Belforte, discussionswere held with the Japan LaserProcessing Society and theJapan Society for LaserTechnology toward establish-ing an affiliation. The twoJapanese societies joined forcesand, in conjunction with LIA,held the first joint U.S./JapanInternational Laser ProcessingConference in November 1981in Anaheim, Calif.

For the U.S., the technicalprogram chairman was SidneyCharschan, who later was to bepresident of LIA. Co-chairswere John F. Ready of theHoneywell Corporate Techno-logy Center and Michael Bassof the University of California.Japanese co-chairs wereYoshiaki Arata and HiromichiKawasumi, presidents of thecombined societies.

From the success of thisconference, it became clearthat a two-day in-depth sym-posium on a particular field orapplication provides an excel-lent forum for the dissemina-tion of recent results and forthe interchange of ideasamong users, researchers, andmanufacturers.

Then, in 1982 LIAannounced the firstInternational Congress onApplications of Lasers &Electro-Optics. Held inBoston, Sept. 21-23, the con-gress was under the leadershipof David R. Whitehouse ofRaytheon Co. and Haynes Lee,congress and LIA generalmanager. The first ICALEOoffered in-depth symposia on: • Materials Processing, Prof.

Michael Bass• Medicine & Biology, Dr.

Myron Wolbarsht • Inspection, Measurement &

Control, Vince Zaleckas• Lasers & Electro-Optics,

Dr. Peter Mumola• Optical Communications,

Dr. Raymond JaegerProgram chairman was

Sidney S. Charschan, P.E.Western Electric Co. (Staytuned to the September/October issue of LIA TODAYfor more details on ICALEO’s25-year history.)

Perspective: 1980sThe Age of Maturity

“In materials processingwe’re exploring the applica-tions of lasers in cutting andwelding, heat treatment, sur-face alloying and cladding,chemical vapor deposition anddrilling. We’re looking at inte-gration of lasers with robots,their application in flexiblemanufacturing systems, andthe evaluation of differentbeam delivery systems forlaser-robot systems on the

LIA TODAY

July/August 2006 6

ICALEO , cont. from pg. 1

Michael Bass, left, with ArthurSchawlow.

Material Processing: Then, Now, and Tomorrow

“In the beginning there was the light, bright, ruby red, andthe birth of a new industry. The first five years from 1960to 1965 was the scientific curiosity period. What was alaser and what could be done with it? Then came other“family members,” that now number in the thousands.”Sydney S. Charschan, P.E. ICALEO 1987, San Diego, CA

Technical Program Chair (’81and ’82) Sidney CharschanP.E., left, with 1984 ICALEOGeneral Chair Michael Bass.

From left, AkiraMatsunawa, Ginny andDave Belforte (see ILPC1981), Yoshiaki Arata.

basis of final beam qualityand its impact on materialsprocessing.” Michael Bass, ICALEO 1984

“Lasers and computersare married during this nextperiod. Automation principlesare applied. Parts aredesigned that could only beprocessed by lasers. Lasersare coupled with high-speed punch press-es to produce special terminals. Designand instruction for safety is mandated.

“Today’s lasers can be controlled tovary each and every pulse with respect topower and energy. Generally, I expectevolution rather than revolution to be thetrend for material processing. Lasers willbe designed for greater stability at specif-ic wavelengths. Be assured, there willcontinue to be surprising innovations andadvances.” Sidney S. Charschan, ICA-LEO 1987

“This year we explore the excitingprospects and realities of excimer lasersand their applications in industry andmedicine.” Rocco V. Lobraico, ICALEO 1988

Keeping the ChargeSince its formation in 1968, LIA, as a

nonprofit professional society, has madea major effort in fostering the inter-change of technical information, both inthe technology and the applications oflasers and electro-optics.

How well this charge has been keptover the past 25 years is the 2006 ple-nary topic celebrating the Silver 25th

anniversary year of ICALEO – “25 Yearsof Laser Processing, Looking Back toSee the Future.”

*Jack Dyer is contributing editor forthe LIA TODAY and managing editoremeritus, Journal of Laser Applications®.

LIA TODAY

July/August 20067

Looking Forward: ICALEO 2006The International Congress on Applications of Lasers &

Electro-Optics (ICALEO®) has a 24-year history as the con-ference where researchers and end-users meet to review thestate-of-the-art in laser materials processing and predictwhere the future will lead. From its inception, ICALEO hasbeen devoted to the field of laser materials processing and isviewed as the premier source of technical information in the field. Each year ICA-LEO features one or more topical areas. This year, featured sessions include laserapplications in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, bio-medical, and microfabri-cation fields.

The 25th anniversary of ICALEO will be held Oct. 30- Nov. 2 in Scottsdale,Arizona. Anyone interested in laser materials processing from the basic understand-ing of the interaction between a laser beam and a material, to those interested inhow a process can be integrated and optimized for an application should attend.Returning ICALEO features include the Laser Materials Processing Conference,the Laser Microprocessing Conference, the Poster Presentation Gallery and theLaser Solutions Short Courses.

This year’s plenary session, “25 Years of Laser Processing -– Looking Back toSee the Future,” will celebrate the silver 25th anniversary year of ICALEO with aspeech revisiting the early years and looking ahead at new developments that arecontinuously emerging.

For more information or to receive a copy of the 2006 Advance Program, callLIA at 1-800-34-LASER/407-380-1553 or visit www.icaleo.org.

According to our research, 1986 saw thefirst actual logo for ICALEO developed.

LIA TODAY

July/August 2006 8

Aesthetic , cont. from pg. 1 mandate did not change. Butthe commonality, even as theyprogressed into the privatephysician’s office, was the useand control of the equipmentby clinicians trained in med-ical discipline and procedure.

Training SuspectWith the advent of intense

pulsed light, subject to verydifferent rules than lasers, andthe development of ‘nonabla-tive’ procedures where therewas no ‘purpose or ability toremove tissue’, the worldbegan a slow and steadychange. The changes them-selves were not the issue. Theimplementation of the changewas. Aesthetic procedures,especially with intense pulsedlight, have been increasinglysold, trained and implementedby non-clinically trained per-sonnel.

This is not to say that theprocedures cannot be safelyperformed by someone otherthan a physician, P.A. or nurse.It is to say that the very core

of Standard of Care, a stan-dard of education and verifica-tion of skills, has been lost inthe shuffle. Many new usersdo not understand or use pre-,peri- or post-procedure formsand do not know how to prop-erly inform a customer of therisks and complications of thenew treatments.

Widespread TroubleToday in the U.S. there is a

wide spectrum of measuredskill and certification not onlyfrom state to state but fromoffice to office. From the tight,taxed use of aesthetic lasers byonly physicians in New Jerseyto numbers of states wherethere is no regulation on whouses a laser or their level ofeducation the system hasclearly failed to work.

The consistency of record-keeping and recommendedforms is in worse shape. Theoutcome of that failure hasbeen the escalation in litiga-tion from such procedures,especially in the intense

pulsed light arena; and thesense of immediacy felt bymany state level governingbodies to take control of thevenue.

The public demand for the‘top four’ of hair removal,vein removal, resolution ofwrinkles, and the eliminationof age spots has kindled a newaesthetic industry reachinginto the spa, the beauty salonand into the offices of previ-ously uninterested family

practice, gynecology andpediatric physicians. The answer is not an easyone. There seems to be nosingle regulatory point inmost states. By example,one state’s Board ofMedical Examiners allowsphysicians to determinewho can operate the laserunder their purview. Butthe same state’s Board ofNurse Examiners isunequivocal in the restric-tion of nurse’s use. So howdo we begin, as an indus-try, to corral these issues?

Setting it RightThe first is an acceptedand uniform level of mea-sured education and com-petency. The second is toraise the awareness of theusers, perhaps throughthose who sell the equip-

ment, to the need and exis-tence of a measured level ofcompetency. Everyone wantsto act with the best interest ofboth safety and prosperity. Theprocess will continue to grow,the government on a state orfederal level will probablybecome more involved atsome point, and we have theability as prudent profession-als to control both.

For the consideration ofthe customer, the patient, thepractitioner, and the persondelivering this ‘service’ wemust begin to ‘think locallyand act globally’. Existingprofessional organizationsneed to reach out and helpthese newcomers and helpthem understand the needs andnot just turn away as manygroups in the recent past have.

The fact that lasers andintense pulsed light devicesare leaving the traditionalmedical setting has beenestablished for almost adecade. Now is the time forthose who sell, those who use,those who teach, and thosewho regulate to come togetherfor the betterment and protec-tion of the new process.

LIA member John Hoop-man is a certified medicallaser safety officer with UTSouthwestern Medical Center.

Medical Aesthetic Lasers & LightTechnologies Course

This two-day course by LIA includes a comprehensive didac-tic overview of the different types of lasers and pulsed lightdevices available. The core focus is on laser and light practicumas it applies to clinical hair reduction, vascular lesion removal,Photofacial™ laser peels, non-ablative collagen remodeling andnew emerging techniques. There is also a focus on rules, regula-tions and the policy and procedures you need for an effectivepractice. The course is a 12-hour Category I CME-approvedclean, simple, straightforward how-to look at cosmetic light-basedprocedures. Forms and guidelines are provided. We will discussthe benefits, expected outcomes, and alternative treatments focus-ing on patient consultation, selection and education, contraindica-tions and precautions, safety, and technique. This is a certifiedcourse and there will be a test.

The cost is $1,295 and has been approved for 12 Category ICMEs. There is an extra cost of $300 to get the CMEs. Visitwww.laserinstitute.org/education for more information.

Upcoming Course DatesAug. 19-20 • Denver, CO Sept. 16-17 • Boston, MAOct. 14-15 • Chicago, IL Nov. 18-19 • Houston, TX

Public demand for laser-aided procedures has safety scram-bling to keep up.

LIA TODAY

July/August 20069

Academy ofLaser DentistryAcademy ofLaser Dentistry

SOURCE 2007:Lasers in Dentistry

ALD’s 14th Annual Conference & ExpoMarch 28-31 • Nashville, TN

at Gaylord Opryland®

Call For AbstractsSubmit Your Abstract Atwww.laserdentistry.org

NEW IN 2007: TRACK SESSIONS• Clinical Techniques• Hygiene & Auxiliary• Laser Material Interaction• Science & Research • Low-Level Laser Treatment• Diagnostics• High-Tech Tools You Can Use

Submissions due beforeSeptember 1st.

www.laserdentistry.orgToll-Free 877-LASERS6 (527-3776)

The Profession’sIndependent Sourcefor Dental LaserEducation Worldwide

LIA TODAY

July/August 2006 10

The 2007 InternationalLaser SafetyConference (ILSC®) is

a comprehensive four-day con-ference covering all aspects oflaser safety practice and hazardcontrol. Technical sessions andworkshops will address develop-ments in regulatory, mandatoryand voluntary safety standardsfor laser products and laser use.Laser safety experts from allover the world will meet in SanFrancisco, Calif. Mar. 19-22,2007 to discuss their research,programs and standards.Presented by LIA, professionalsin all fields and applications willfind ILSC 2007 a tremendoussource for information and net-working opportunities.

ILSC OverviewILSC will feature papers on

the following topics: worldwidesafety standards and legislation,bioeffects, protective systemsand devices, practical laser safe-ty, laser safety training, protec-tive filters and guards, use andsafety of outdoor lasers, high-powered lasers, hazard and riskassessment, non-beam hazardsand fume extraction, medicallaser safety, accidents and inci-dents, and measurements.

The Conference GeneralChair is Benjamin Rockwell,AFRL/HEDO, Brooks City-base,Texas and the Conference Chairis John Tyrer, LoughboroughUniv., Leicestershire, UK.

NEW for 2007!The Laser Safety Practical

Applications Seminar will beheld Mar. 19-20. This seminar isa two-day seminar for the practi-

cal Laser Safety Officer (LSO).It will be particularly useful forLSOs who are not full-time lasersafety professionals. Participantswill be involved in practicalinteractive workshops, panel dis-cussions, and hot topics address-ing the more common safetyissues and concerns of the day-to-day operations in commercial,factory, research, and medicalfacility settings.

Tabletop Exhibit &Sponsorship Opps

The ILSC tabletop exhibitand reception to be heldTuesday, Mar. 20 from 5:30p.m.-8 p.m. and is open to allcompanies and institutions with-in the laser industry. This exhib-it gives vendors and attendeesthe opportunity to meet and dis-cuss equipment and ideas in a

relaxed setting.ILSC 2007 will also offer

various levels of sponsorshipopportunities to give companiesor organizations added promo-tional exposure. For furtherinformation, contact BethCohen at bcohen@laserinsti-tute.org.

ILSC Registration InfoFull conference registration

includes admission to the plenarysession and all technical sessions,workshops, welcome receptionand George M. Wilkening and R.James Rockwell, Jr. EducationalAchievement Award presenta-tions, tabletop exhibits and atechnical digest. LIA corporateand individual members, pre-reg-ister and save! Visit www.laserin-stitute.org/conferences for moredetails and to register.

Save the Date!ILSC in 2007

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LIA TODAY

July/August 200611

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LIA TODAY

July/August 2006 12

Michael Anderson, Auburn Univ., ALMarvin Sanderson, Little Rock, AR Sharon Gerdes, Anaheim, CAArzu Ozkan, Santa Clara, CALi Chen, Santa Clara, CAMathew Rekow, Santa Clara, CARamasamy Elavarasan, Sunnyvale, CADavid A. Kun, West Hills, CADavid Kuhns, Bloomfield, CTDaniel Eigner, Columbia, CTJeffrey Lyons, Monroe, CTJean-Claude Nerette, Jr., MD,

SW Ranches, FLPeter Boden, Northbrook, ILMichael Chelsen, Billerica, MA

Witold Tatkowski, Boston, MAMichelle L. Stock, Ann Arbor, MI Michael Sykes, Saginaw, MISusan M. Mathison, MD, Fargo, ND Robert Moody, Milford, NH Francis J. Roth, Princeton, NJ William Salerno, Saddlebrook, NJCharmain Tidwell, Alamogordo, NM Thierry Marchione, Edgewood, NM Richard P. Harvey, Buffalo, NYJaclyn Nelson, Bellport, NYHaiping Shao, Dublin, OH Gina Picart, Tulsa, OK Jim Johnston, Pittsburgh, PAMilton L. Rogers, Jr., Aiken, SC

Lee Loftesness, Sioux Falls, SDTina T. Graham, Memphis, TNWilliam Hofmeister, Tullahoma, TNCaitlinn Dickinson, Houston, TX David Templeman, Richmond, VAPeter Geissler, Ph.D., Washington, DCJustino Mulima, Wollongong,

AustraliaLucian Iordache, Hamilton, ON,

CanadaChi Tat Kwok, Taipa, Macau, ChinaMilan Honner, Ph.D., Plzen, Czech

Republic John Tyrer, Leicestershire, UK

Welcome New LIA Members

For a complete list of corporate members, visit our corporate directory at www.laserinstitute.org.

Corporate Members

Individual Members

• Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinics,Scottsdale, AZ

• Rofin-Baasel Inc., Boxborough, MA• SPI Lasers, San Jose, CA

Northeast Chapter

The next meeting of theNortheast Chapter will beheld Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006at the Connecticut Center forAdvanced Technology, Inc.(CCAT) in East Hartford,Conn. The meeting willbegin at 3:30 p.m. with anoptional lab tour of CCAT(www.ccat.us) before mov-ing on to the SheratonHartford Hotel for a socialhour, dinner and speakers.

The first speaker will beDeborah Santy, CT SBIR, ofCCAT who will discuss“Tapping Federal SBIRFunds for Seed and Early-Stage Capital”, followed byRobert Torrani, CMSCI, alsoof CCAT, discussing“Responding to EvolvingDemands of Aerospace &

Defense OEMs.”The keynote speaker is

Dr. Susan Coleman of theUniversity of Hartford,Barney School of Business,giving the presentation“Economic Trends, KeyIssues for the ManufacturingSector, and A Role forEducation.” The keynote pre-sentation will discuss what’sgoing on in the economy,how it affects the manufac-turing industry in general andmanufacturing using lasers inparticular. It will also addressthe link between educationand needs of the industry.

Please RSVP by Sept. 12to Elizabeth DiBona at edi-bona@ccat.us or 860-282-4227. For more informationvisit www.laserinstitute.org/membership/chapters/new_england/.

LIA TODAY

July/August 200613

Chapter Corner

Great Lakes Chapter The most recent Great

Lakes Chapter regional meetingwas held July 12, 2006, at theFraunhofer Institute inPlymouth, Mich. Featuredspeaker Dr. Stefan Heinemanngave a presentation on “NovelLasers and Their Impact onMaterials Processing,” whichgave an overview of the latesttechnology in industrial laserapplications as well as how thetechnology is trending.

After the presentation thegroup toured the lab area andsaw a working laser welder fortransmission parts, the micromachining section, the IPGPhotonics fiber laser compari-son lab with the disk laser, andthe CO2 body-in-white weldingcell. It was a rare opportunityto check out the latest real-

world applications at work.Other items on the agenda

were the submission of namesto be placed on the ballot for theOctober election of officers for2007 and a discussion of venuefor the chapter’s student-themedmeeting in October and possiblejoint meeting with the localchapter of the Optical Societyof America (OSA).

The Great Lakes Chapterincludes the states of Ohio,Michigan, Illinois, Indiana,and the province of Ontario,Canada. For more informationplease visit www.laserinstitute.org/membership/chapters/great_lakes/.

Future Meetings:• October 18, 2006

Student Night – Elections• January 17, 2007

First meeting for 2007

Northern CA ChapterLIA is pleased to announce the for-

mation of its third regional chapter.Formation of the Northern CA Chapterof LIA was voted on during LIA’s firstregional meeting in this area, which washeld on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 inSunnyvale, Calif.

Fulfilling its mission to foster lasers,laser applications, and laser safetyworldwide, the LIA welcomes the sup-port in northern California. The NorthernCA Chapter of LIA includes the state ofCalifornia, but is not limited to just thatstate.

“We certainly welcome other sur-rounding states to come. An LIA chapteris never limited to the state it resides in,”said LIA Marketing Director JimNaugle.

During the evening, a social hourwas followed by an LIA presentationand then featured speaker Heinrich

Endert of Spectra Physics spoke on“Emerging Applications of Lasers in theSemiconductor Industry”. After the pre-sentation, the vote took place with aunanimous decision to approve the chap-ter’s formation.

The goal of the chapter is to create aforum for networking with laser profes-sionals in Northern California thatinclude laser end-users, manufacturers oflasers and related products, safety offi-cers, company presidents andresearchers. The mission is toprovide laser community net-working avenues and educationfor LIA members and to serve asa recruitment tool for potentialnew members. Bimonthly meet-ings will be held throughout the area witha guest speaker or company tour as partof each one. LIA’s Northern CA Chapterhas a great deal to offer LIA members,both technically and professionally.

Four voluntary committee members

have been named. This committee con-sists of the following LIA members:Chairperson Silke Pflüeger of SPI, NeilBall of Directed Light, Inc., David Clarkof Spectra Physics, and Susan Winfreeof Metal Improvement.

“The formation of an LIA chapter inthis area will provide outstanding localleadership and present increasing oppor-tunities to meet needs in the region,”said LIA Executive Director Peter Baker.

According to LIA’sbylaws, each chapter mustconsist of a minimum of 20LIA members and form anorganizational committee withone designated chair. Therewill not be any chapter dues

and the group must meet a minimum offour times a year. You must be a memberof LIA in order to join one of its chap-ters. For more chapter-specific informa-tion, visit http://www.laserinstitute.org/membership/Chapters/West/.

LIA encourages all LIA members in the supporting areas of these chapters to join the chapter and support its efforts to promote the laser industry on a regional level. For more information or to volunteer to help, visit ww.laserinstitute.org/membership/chapters.

LIA TODAY

July/August 2006 14

would be impossible to measure,” he said in the report.

U.S., Singapore Act to Simplify Telecom TradeOn June 2, new, streamlined regulatory approval procedures

came into effect in the United States and Singapore, allowingU.S. makers of telecommunication equipment to certify theirproducts at home and ship directly to the $1.3 billion Asianmarket, and eliminating the need for often duplicative testing.The delay-ending, cost-saving simplification is the latest bilat-eral step in carrying out a 1998 trade agreement among mem-bers of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation). TheNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) desig-nated four U.S. organizations as “certification bodies,” and theynow have been recognized by the Singapore government asqualified to determine whether shipments of telecommunica-tions products – including wireless equipment – comply withthat country’s required standards.

In a parallel action, the Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC) has recognized a certification body desig-nated by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.This permits Singapore telecommunication exports to be testedand certified as conforming to FCC regulations before shipmentto the U.S. Two-way trade of telecommunication productsbetween the two nations totaled about $1.1 billion in 2005.

The joint action nearly completes the second phase of the1998 APEC Mutual Recognition Arrangement onTelecommunication Equipment, intended to reduce technicalbarriers to markets.

In The News, cont. from pg. 1

ASC Z136 UpdatePlan ahead! The 2007 annual meeting of Accredited

Standards Committee (ASC) Z136 will be held Mar.18, 2007 in conjunction with the International Laser SafetyConference (ILSC® 2007) in San Francisco, Calif.

ILSC® 2007 is a comprehensive four-day conference cov-ering all aspects of laser safety practice and hazard control,where laser safety experts from all over the world will meetand discuss their research, programs and standards.

New for 2007 is the Laser Safety Practical ApplicationsSeminar. This two-day seminar will run concurrent to ILSC®

2007, and will be particularly useful to laser safety officerswho are not full-time laser safety professionals. A sample oftopics to be included are Optics 101 – a basic overview ofcommon optics; Medical Laser Safety – from the operatingroom to the day spa; Laser Safety on a Budget; HighIntensity Light Sources; and more!

Join us at the annual meeting, ILSC® 2007 and the newPractical Applications Seminar! Watch your mailboxes forthe Call for Papers – abstract and workshop submissions arenow being accepted atwww.laserinstitute.org/conferences/ilsc. If you have anyquestions regarding ASC Z136 activities, ILSC® 2007 or thePractical Applications Seminar, please contact Barbara Samsat the LIA, 407-380-1553 or bsams@laserinstitute.org formore information.

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LIA TODAY

July/August 200615

LIA Supports Global AllianceLIA is pleased to announce it is the

cooperating society for the Global Alliancefor Research and Education in Laser AidedManufacturing (GARELAM). The first,formative workshop was held July 17-18,2006 at the National Academy of Sciences(NAS) Lecture Room in Washington, D.C.This workshop brought together premieracademic and industry professionals fromthe international laser processing field. Thepurpose of this workshop was for differentresearch centers to brainstorm on lasersand plasmas across the globe, thereforeestablishing a Global Alliance of Researchand Education on Laser Aided AdvancedManufacturing (GARELAM) Technology.

Too often our community has fallenasleep when it comes to establishing aglobal platform to create a culture andprocess for laser research and education inthe 21st century. The time is now for thecommunity of laser application engineersand scientists to mitigate the challenge ofglobalization in higher education.

As a cooperating society, part of LIA’scommitment will be to assist in marketingand to publish the GARELAM whitepapers. LIA and GARELAM would like toinvite anyone in the laser industry to thefollow-up meeting to be held at ICALEOon Nov. 1. For more information on theworkshop, visit http://cpd.engin.umich.edu/garelam.

Advance Program Available The Advance Program for LIA’s 25th

International Congress on Applications ofLasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO®) isnow available. The Advance Program pro-

vides details for all the technical sessions,poster presentations, business develop-ment session, vendor exhibits and shortcourses offered during ICALEO® 2006, tobe held Oct. 30-Nov. 2 in Scottsdale,Ariz., USA.

Highlighted sessions during the confer-ence include fiber laser processing, laserprocessing of biological material, laser pro-cessing in the aviation, defense, and spaceindustry, lasers in material processing diag-nostics and in nanotechnology, and theLaser Business Development Session.Don’t miss the President’s Reception to beheld at Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’swinter home, studio and architectural labo-ratory in the foothills of the McDowellMountains. Sponsorship and vendor oppor-tunities are still available. For more infor-mation, visit www.icaleo.org or contactBeth Cohen bcohen@laserinstitute.org.

LIA at AIHceIn May, LIA exhibited at the AIHce

(American Industrial Hygiene Conference& Expo) in Chicago, Ill. Approximately6,000 attended this expo, and most ofthem were interested in LIA’s trainingcourses, ANSI standards, and BLS certifi-cation. LIA looks forward to returningnext year.

LIA Announces

Journal of Laser Applications® Update

The Journal of Laser Applications®

offers the latest refereed papers by leadingresearchers in the laser community. TheAugust 2006 issue includes papers frommaterials processing, sensing & measure-ments and safety. Look for the online ver-sion at www.laserinstitute.org/publica-tions/jla/. To view the journal online, pleasemake sure your membership is current.

The JLA® is published four times a

year by the Laser Institute of America inFebruary, May, August and November. Itis sent to all LIA members as a memberbenefit. For nonmembers of LIA, call theAmerican Institute of Physics at 1.800.344.6902 for subscription information.

Sign up at http://scitation.aip.org/jla/alert.jsp to receive your JLA tableof content e-mail alerts.

It’s Time To Vote!Attention all members – your officialLIA ballot will be mailed in August.Please take a moment to vote for your society’s officers and boardmembers and return your ballot

promptly. Every vote counts!

LIA TODAY

July/August 2006 16