Cell phone, mp3 player in the lab

[silin]

Is it it safe for electronics in physics labs (spectroscopy devices, lasers, AFM, Teraherz microscope) to use:

- cell phone
- radio
- mp3 player

Can they cause any noise in electronics and distort signals from photon counting detectors or influence lasers somehow? I'm asking because our labs have a sign that no cell phones should be allowed there and I think it's more because if you're adjusting a laser and suddenly your phone calls you may rush and reflect the laser beam in somebody's eye.

 

[berkeman]

The sign is not there because of the startle factor of a ringing phone. RF transmitters can cause interference with various kinds of electronic circuits. The amount of interference depends on many factors, including the type of circuitry and the frequency and strength of the interfering signal.

But there are some environments where any interference at all would be a bad thing, like a passenger airplane's flight controls and avionics, especially during takeoff and landing. Or apparently in your physics lab, where sensitive experiments may be going on. You'd be pretty mad if sombody's jabbering on their cell phone caused bad data to be collected on your experiment, wouldn't you?

 

[ravenprp]

It is generally not safe to have cell phones, radios, or mp3 players in a physics lab where sensitive equipment such as spectroscopy devices, lasers, AFM, and Teraherz microscopes are being used. These electronic devices can cause interference and noise in the equipment, which can distort signals and affect the accuracy of measurements. This can be especially problematic for photon counting detectors, which require precise and sensitive measurements. Additionally, the use of cell phones can be a distraction and may lead to accidents, such as accidentally reflecting a laser beam into someone's eye. Therefore, it is important to follow the lab's policy of not allowing cell phones in the lab to ensure the safety and accuracy of experiments.