Yag laser

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

YAG Laser

The YAG Laser (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser) is a type of laser technology that has found extensive use in various fields such as medicine, industry, and research. The YAG laser operates in the infrared part of the light spectrum, and is known for its high power output and capability to work in continuous wave mode.

History[edit | edit source]

The YAG laser was first developed in the early 1960s, shortly after the invention of the first working laser by Theodore Maiman in 1960. The development of the YAG laser marked a significant advancement in laser technology, as it offered a more powerful and efficient alternative to the early ruby lasers.

Design and Operation[edit | edit source]

The YAG laser consists of a laser medium, which is a synthetic crystal of Yttrium Aluminum Garnet. This crystal is doped with a small amount of neodymium, which serves as the active laser ion. The laser medium is placed between two mirrors, forming a laser cavity, and is pumped by a high-intensity light source such as a flashlamp.

When the laser medium is pumped, the neodymium ions are excited to a higher energy state. When these ions return to their ground state, they emit light in the infrared region of the spectrum. This light is reflected back and forth between the mirrors, stimulating further emission of light and leading to the amplification of the light beam, a process known as stimulated emission.

Applications[edit | edit source]

The YAG laser has a wide range of applications due to its high power output and versatility. In medicine, it is used in various procedures such as laser eye surgery, laser hair removal, and laser lithotripsy. In industry, it is used for laser cutting, laser welding, and laser engraving. In research, it is used in spectroscopy, holography, and nonlinear optics.

Safety[edit | edit source]

As with all lasers, safety precautions must be taken when using a YAG laser. This includes the use of laser safety goggles to protect the eyes from the intense light, and careful handling to avoid burns or other injuries.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]



Lens triplet.svg
   This article is a optics-related stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
Medicine-stub.png
This article is a stub related to medicine. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD