Technology Nd:YAG laser

neodymium ions in various types of ionic crystals, , in glasses, act laser gain medium, typically emitting 1064 nm light particular atomic transition in neodymium ion, after being pumped excitation external source

nd:yag lasers optically pumped using flashtube or laser diodes. these 1 of common types of laser, , used many different applications. nd:yag lasers typically emit light wavelength of 1064 nm, in infrared. however, there transitions near 946, 1120, 1320, , 1440 nm. nd:yag lasers operate in both pulsed , continuous mode. pulsed nd:yag lasers typically operated in so-called q-switching mode: optical switch inserted in laser cavity waiting maximum population inversion in neodymium ions before opens. light wave can run through cavity, depopulating excited laser medium @ maximum population inversion. in q-switched mode, output powers of 250 megawatts , pulse durations of 10 25 nanoseconds have been achieved. high-intensity pulses may efficiently frequency doubled generate laser light @ 532 nm, or higher harmonics @ 355, 266 , 213 nm.

nd:yag absorbs in bands between 730–760 nm , 790–820 nm. @ low current densities krypton flashlamps have higher output in bands more common xenon lamps, produce more light @ around 900 nm. former therefore more efficient pumping nd:yag lasers.

the amount of neodymium dopant in material varies according use. continuous wave output, doping lower pulsed lasers. lightly doped cw rods can optically distinguished being less colored, white, while higher-doped rods pink-purplish.

other common host materials neodymium are: ylf (yttrium lithium fluoride, 1047 , 1053 nm), yvo4 (yttrium orthovanadate, 1064 nm), , glass. particular host material chosen in order obtain desired combination of optical, mechanical, , thermal properties. nd:yag lasers , variants pumped either flashtubes, continuous gas discharge lamps, or near-infrared laser diodes (dpss lasers). prestabilized laser (psl) types of nd:yag lasers have proved particularly useful in providing main beams gravitational wave interferometers such ligo, virgo, geo600 , tama.