Nd:YAG laser stands for Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet laser. It is a solid-state laser widely used in engineering, medicine, and industry due to its high power and efficiency.
Full Form
Nd:YAG = Neodymium doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet
Chemical formula of crystal: Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG)
Principle of Nd:YAG Laser
Nd:YAG laser works on the principle of:
Stimulated Emission of Radiation
It follows:
- Population inversion
- Optical pumping
- Laser amplification
Properties of Nd:YAG Laser
- Wavelength: 1064 nm
- High power output
- Highly coherent
- Directional beam
- Pulsed or continuous operation
Construction
Main Parts:
- Active medium: Nd³⁺ doped YAG crystal
- Flash lamp or laser diode (pumping source)
- Optical resonator (mirrors)
- Cooling system
Nd:YAG Laser – Working
START
↓
Optical Pumping (Flash Lamp / Laser Diode)
↓
Nd³⁺ ions absorb energy → Excited state
↓
Non-radiative transition
↓
Metastable state → Population Inversion
↓
Stimulated Emission of photons
↓
Optical Resonator amplifies light
↓
Partial mirror releases laser beam
↓
OUTPUT: 1064 nm Coherent Laser
↓
END
ENERGY LEVEL DIAGRAM
APPLICATIONS
1. Industrial Uses
- Cutting and welding metals
- Drilling hard materials
2. Medical Uses
- Eye surgery (LASIK)
- Tumor removal
- Dermatology treatments
3. Scientific Uses
- Spectroscopy
- Holography
- Range finding (LIDAR)
Tags:
physics