Nd :YAG laser Physical Properties

Pure Y₃Al₅O₁₂ is a colorless, optically isotropic crystal that possesses a cubic structure characteristic of garnets. In Nd :YAG about 1% of Y³⁺ is substituted by Nd³⁺. The radii of the two rare earth ions differ by about 3%. Therefore, with the addition of large amounts of neodymium, strained crystals are obtained— indicating that either the solubility limit of neodymium is exceeded or that the

TABLE 1.1. Physical and optical properties of Nd :YAG.

lattice of YAG is seriously distorted by the inclusion of neodymium. Some of the important physical properties of YAG are listed in Table 1.1 together with optical and laser parameters.