Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) is one of the most widely used solid-state laser crystals in industrial, medical, military, and scientific applications. Renowned for its high efficiency, excellent thermal properties, mechanical durability, and stable laser output, Nd:YAG remains a cornerstone material in modern laser technology.
Its primary emission wavelength at 1064 nm makes it highly versatile and easily frequency-converted to visible and UV wavelengths using nonlinear optical crystals.
Key Properties of Nd:YAG
- High Laser Efficiency: Excellent overlap between neodymium absorption and emission bands enables efficient energy conversion and stable laser operation.
- 1064 nm Infrared Output: Ideal for direct applications and nonlinear conversion (532 nm, 355 nm, 266 nm).
- Excellent Thermal Performance: High thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion support high-power and high-energy laser operation.
- Outstanding Durability: High mechanical strength, chemical stability, and resistance to harsh operating environments.
Typical Applications
- Material Processing: Laser cutting, welding, drilling, engraving, and precision marking of metals and ceramics.
- Medical Laser Systems: Laser surgery, photocoagulation, dermatology, tattoo removal, and aesthetic treatments.
- Military & Defense: Range finding, target designation, LIDAR, and directed energy systems.
- Scientific Research: Spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, pump sources, and ultrafast laser systems.
Shape Optics Supply Capability
Available Dopants
- Nd: 0.6% – 1.2% (atomic %)
- Cr: 0.5% – 3.0% (molar %)
- Yb: 5% – 15% (atomic %)
Dimensions
- Rod Diameter: 2 mm – 16.5 mm
- Length: 1 mm – 180 mm
Coatings
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AR, HR, or custom coatings available upon request
Standard Optical & Mechanical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dopant Concentration Tolerance | ±0.1% |
| Parallelism | < 10 arc seconds |
| Perpendicularity | < 5 arc minutes |
| Chamfer | 0.1 mm × 45° |
| Clear Aperture | ≥ 95% |
| Scratch & Dig | 10/5 |
| Surface Flatness | λ/10 @ 633 nm |
| Wavefront Distortion | λ/10 @ 633 nm (Ø < 7 mm) λ/8 @ 633 nm (Ø ≥ 7 mm) |
| Damage Threshold | > 15 J/cm² (TEM₀₀, 10 ns, 10 Hz) |
Optical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Lasing Wavelength | 1064 nm |
| Pump Wavelength | 807.5 nm |
| Absorption Band at Pump | 1 mm |
| Effective Emission Cross Section | 2.8 × 10⁻¹⁹ cm² |
| Linewidth | 0.6 nm |
| Relaxation Time (Terminal Level) | 30 ns |
| Radiative Lifetime | 550 µs |
| Spontaneous Fluorescence | 230 µs |
| Loss Coefficient | 0.003 cm⁻¹ @1064 nm |
| Polarization | Unpolarized |
| Thermal Birefringence | High |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | Nd:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ |
| Crystal Structure | Cubic |
| Lattice Constant | 12.01 Å |
| Nd Concentration | ~1.2 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³ |
| Density | 4.56 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1970 °C |
| Mohs Hardness | 8.5 |
| Refractive Index | 1.82 |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 7.8 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ (‖ ⟨111⟩) |
| Thermal Conductivity | 14 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ @20 °C 10.5 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ @100 °C |
Laser Operation Modes
Nd:YAG is widely used in:
- Continuous-wave (CW) lasers
- Pulsed lasers
- Mode-locked lasers
- Q-switched and cavity-dumped lasers
- Frequency-doubled and high-energy solid-state laser systems
Shape Optics supplies Nd, Er, Cr, Tm, Yb, Ho, and undoped YAG crystals, customizable for your specific laser design.