Laser Rod USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Laser Engraving and Cut Terms [1]

Laser Rod A laser rod, also known as a laser gain medium or laser crystal, is a solid-state material used in certain types of lasers to amplify and emit coherent light through the process of stimulated emission. Laser rods are typically composed of a crystalline or glass material doped with ions of rare-earth elements or transition metals that absorb energy from an external light source or electrical pump and then release it as laser light.
The choice of laser rod material depends on factors such as the desired output wavelength, efficiency, power output, and thermal conductivity. Common materials used in laser rods include neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG), and titanium-doped sapphire (Ti:sapphire). Laser rods play a critical role in determining the performance, output characteristics, and spectral properties of solid-state lasers used in applications such as materials processing, medical surgery, telecommunications, and scientific research.