Veiling-glare laser 1544855 80977473 2006-10-12T09:11:52Z 134.121.241.230 The '''veiling-glare laser''' is a proposed [[Dazzler (weapon)|laser dazzler]], a [[Non-lethal force|non-lethal weapon]] which would use light in the [[ultraviolet]] (UV) range. The intended effect would be to cause [[fluorescence]] in the [[lens (anatomy)|lens of the eye]], producing intense [[light pollution#Glare|glare]] and making clear vision impossible. In September 2002, the [[Joint Nonlethal Weapons Directorate]] announced the proposal was under development. It is intended to have three key advantages over previous laser dazzlers which operate in visible wavelengths: * the power levels used can be lower, so there is in theory less risk of eye damage; * the location of the laser is not apparent to the target; and * it has a wide angle of effectiveness. However, the proposal has been seriously questioned. ''[[New Scientist]]'' quoted two experts, Tom van den Berg of the [[Netherlands]] Ophthalmic Research Institute and Bill Stark of [[Saint Louis University]], as suggesting that at the requisite power levels the use of UV wavelengths is in itself questionable and could damage the lens, almost definitely causing [[cataract]]s. In addition Professor Stark (an expert in the effects of UV light on eyes) questioned whether the idea could work at all: "My experience suggests that such fluorescence does not cause significant amounts of glare." ==See also== * [[Dazzler (weapon)|Dazzler weapon]] ==External links== * [http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2756 "'Safe' laser weapon comes under fire"], ''New Scientist'', 8 September 2002 [[Category:Less-lethal weapons]] [[Category:Directed-energy weapons]]