An unplanned specular reflection that flashes across the room when a beam strikes something reflective during alignment, often a wrench, a post, a ring or a watch face. Glints can carry a large share of a Class 4 beam to eye level in a fraction of a second. Labs use black-anodized hardware, bans on jewelry and low power during alignment to keep them out of the room.
Got a glint off the hex key when I reached into the path, from now on the power's turned down before anyone adjusts that mount.
Related terms
Ghost
A weak stray beam from a back-surface reflection that travels off in an unexpected direction or focuses somewhere it should not.
Class 4
The highest laser hazard class, for beams that can injure eyes and skin even by diffuse reflection and can start fires.
Goggles
Lab shorthand for laser safety eyewear, the filtering glasses or goggles rated by optical density at specific wavelengths.
Beam dump
A device that absorbs an unwanted or terminated laser beam completely and safely, without reflecting it.