Solid-state Lasers

Solid-state Lasers

Solid-state lasers are a type of laser that uses a solid gain medium, such as a crystal or glass, to produce a coherent beam of light. They are widely used in a variety of applications, including scientific research, industrial manufacturing, and medical procedures. Solid-state lasers offer several advantages over other types of lasers, including high efficiency, high beam quality, and long lifetimes. The basic design of a solid-state laser consists of a gain medium, which is typically a crystal or glass doped with a rare-earth element or transition metal, and a pump source, which provides energy to excite the gain medium. When the pump energy is absorbed by the gain medium, the atoms or ions are excited to a higher energy state, and when they return to their ground state, they emit photons that are amplified by the gain medium. This process is known as stimulated emission, and it produces a coherent beam of light that is emitted through a cavity that is typically made up of two mirrors. Solid-state lasers are used in a wide range of applications, including cutting and welding of metals, drilling of holes in materials, and marking and engraving of surfaces. They are also used in scientific research, such as in the study of atomic and molecular physics, and in medical procedures, such as laser surgery and dermatology.

lasers, gain medium, rare-earth element, transition metal, pump source

— John Allen

CITATION : "John Allen. 'Solid-state Lasers.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/solid-state-lasers?E=398176 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"