Nd:YAG laser

Nd:YAG laser is a type of laser that uses a neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet crystal as its lasing medium. It is a four-level laser system, which means that the four energy levels are involved in laser action. These lasers are optically pumped using a flashlamp or laser diodes. They are one of the most common types of laser, and are used for many different applications.

Principle of NdYAG Laser with hemi spherical cavity

History

The Nd:YAG laser was first developed in the early 1960s by Bell Labs. It was initially used in laser rangefinders and other military applications, but has since found use in a wide range of other applications.

Design and operation

The Nd:YAG laser is designed around a crystal of Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG), which is doped with neodymium ions (Nd). The crystal is typically rod-shaped and is placed between two mirrors, forming a laser cavity. When the neodymium ions are excited by a flashlamp or laser diodes, they emit light at a wavelength of 1064 nm. This light is reflected back and forth between the mirrors, causing more ions to emit light and leading to a chain reaction known as laser action.

Applications

Nd:YAG lasers are used in many different applications. They are used in medicine for laser surgery, including ophthalmology, dermatology, and endovenous laser therapy. In industry, they are used for laser cutting, laser welding, and laser drilling. They are also used in scientific research, for example in Raman spectroscopy.

See also

• Laser
• Laser surgery
• Laser cutting
• Laser welding
• Laser drilling
• Raman spectroscopy