ND:YAG

LASER
Nd:YAG Laser

Definition: Nd:YAG laser is the short form used

for Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet. It is a
solid state and 4 level system as it consists of 4 energy
levels.

Nd ions are rare earth metal and it is doped with solid

state host crystal like yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG –
Y3Al5O12) to form Nd:YAG laser. Due to doping, yttrium ions
get replaced by the Nd3+ ions. Also, the doping
concentration is around 0.725% by weight.
Nd ion is rare earth metal and it is doped with solid state host
crystal like yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG – Y3Al5O12) to form
Nd:YAG laser.

Its working principle is such that when optical pumping is

provided to the device. Then the Nd ions get raised to higher
energy levels and their transition produces a laser beam.

This laser generally emits light of wavelength of nearly 1.064 μm.

Construction of Nd:YAG laser
Nd:YAG laser is basically categorized into 3 domains that are
the active medium, pumping source and the optical resonator.
Active medium: This is also known as the laser medium and is
the middle portion of the structure i.e., Nd:YAG crystal. Basically
when the external energy source is provided then the electrons
from lower energy state moves to higher energy state thereby
causing lasing action to take place.
External Energy source: Due to the difference in the energy
levels, the electrons need some external pumping in order to
perform a transition from one state to another. So, for lasing
action to take place an external pump source is required.
Basically, as a source of optical pumping, xenon or krypton flash
tube is taken in its case.
The Nd:YAG rod and the flash tube are placed inside an
elliptical cavity so, that maximum produced light can reach the
rod.
Optical resonator: The two ends of the Nd:YAG rod is coated
with silver. However, one end is completely coated with silver so
as to achieve maximum light reflection.
Working of Nd:YAG laser