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. Common host materials include yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), neodymium-doped YAG (Nd:YAG), titanium-sapphire, and ruby. Nd:YAG lasers are widely used due to their high efficiency and output power, operating in the infrared region. Titanium-sapphire lasers are known for their tunability, allowing them to emit light over a broad range of wavelengths, making them valuable for scientific research. Ruby lasers, one of the earliest types of lasers developed, emit red light.

Solid-state lasers offer several advantages over other laser types, including high beam quality, compact size, and long operational lifetimes. They find applications in a diverse range of fields, from industrial manufacturing, such as cutting and welding, to medical procedures like surgery and vision correction, and in scientific research for spectroscopy and material processing. The ability to achieve high power outputs and precise control over the laser beam makes them indispensable tools in modern technology and science.