Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG):
- Properties: Emits at 1064 nm in the infrared; good thermal conductivity and mechanical strength.
- Applications: Widely used in medical systems, manufacturing (cutting, engraving), military designators, and research.
Titanium-Doped Sapphire (Ti:Sapphire):
- Properties: Offers a very broad tuning range from about 660 nm to 1050 nm; can produce extremely short pulses.
- Applications: Used in ultrafast spectroscopy, micromachining, and as a tunable laser for a variety of scientific applications.
Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Lithium Fluoride (Nd:YLF):
- Properties: Emits at 1047 nm and 1053 nm; lower thermal conductivity than Nd:YAG but offers better energy storage capabilities.
- Applications: Preferred in precision laser machining and certain types of medical diagnostics.
Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Orthovanadate (Nd:YVO4):
- Properties: High absorption and emission cross-sections which allow for efficient laser operation at lower pump powers.
- Applications: Used in laser pointers, printing, and various marking applications.
Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG):
- Properties: Emits at 2940 nm, which is highly absorbed by water, making it suitable for medical applications.
- Applications: Skin resurfacing, dental surgery, and other medical procedures where water absorption is beneficial.
Ytterbium-Doped Materials (Yb:YAG, Yb:KGW, Yb:KYW):
- Properties: Operate efficiently at high temperatures; emit in the 1-1.1 μm range, which is ideal for high-power applications.
- Applications: Used in high-power cutting and welding systems, and as seed lasers for fiber amplifiers.

Considerations in Choosing and Using Laser Crystals

Thermal Management: Effective heat dissipation is critical, especially in high-power lasers, to prevent crystal damage and maintain beam quality.
Pump Source Compatibility: The choice of pump source (lamp, laser diode) must match the absorption characteristics of the crystal to maximize efficiency.
Output Wavelength Requirements: The specific application dictates the wavelength needed, which in turn determines the choice of laser crystal and dopant.
Physical Properties: Mechanical and optical properties of the crystal must suit the environment in which the laser will operate, including considerations for durability and maintenance.

Technological Advances and Applications

The development of new doping techniques and better crystal growth methods continually enhances the performance of laser crystals. Advances in laser technology have expanded their use into areas such as telecommunications, industrial processing, medical procedures, military systems, and basic research. Each application benefits from the unique properties of different laser crystals, tailored to specific needs for power, wavelength, and pulse characteristics.

Laser crystals are integral to the function of solid-state lasers, shaping how industries and researchers use light to accomplish a wide array of tasks, from precise cuts in manufacturing to treating complex medical conditions.