solidstateLaser
A solid-state laser is a laser that uses a solid-state medium as the gain medium. This gain medium is typically a crystalline or glass material that is doped with rare-earth elements or transition metals. When an external energy source, such as a flashlamp or another laser, pumps the solid-state material, it excites the atoms within the dopant. These excited atoms then emit photons, which are amplified through stimulated emission within an optical resonator, resulting in a coherent beam of light.
The choice of solid-state material and dopant significantly influences the laser's output wavelength, power, and efficiency.
Solid-state lasers offer several advantages over other laser types, including high beam quality, compact size, and