Nd:YAG Lasers
The Nd:YAG laser is a solid state laser
where the medium is a rod of Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet doped
with Neodymium. This glass like rod is excited by flash-lamps
or diodes. The resulting laser light has a wavelength of
1.06um (infrared range); the beam can be transferred to the
point of use through an optical fiber, making it very
flexible.
As they are commercially
available at continuous wave (CW) power levels up to 5kW,
Nd:YAG lasers are increasingly applied in the industry,
especially in applications requiring flexibility
like:
- Robotic laser cutting
- Automotive laser
welding
- Small component
welding
While the mode
profile of Nd:YAG lasers can prove to be an advantage for
applications like butt welding of sheet metal, it is less than
optimum for cutting processes.
The solid state nature of this laser eliminates the
need for resonator gases; however, for assist gases the
requirements are very similar to those of CO2
lasers.
The transmission
through glass, Nd:YAG laser's strategic advantage in terms of
flexibility, is also its main disadvantage. For safety
reasons, Nd:YAG lasers are required to be operated in fully
enclosed work cells and need special protective equipment to
be used by the operator. |
