Apr 25 2014
Neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd:YVO4) is a crystalline material that is formed by the addition of neodymium ions to yttrium orthovanadate. Like all neodymium-doped laser crystals, the lasing property of Nd:YVO4 is mainly due to the presence of neodymium ions, which can be excited by infrared or visible light at a wavelength of 1064nm. Other significant emission wavelengths include 914 and 1342nm.
Nd:YVO4 lasers are usually diode-pumped, but can also be pumped using flash lamps. They exhibit higher pump absorption due to high laser cross sections, wider gain bandwidth, broader pumping wavelength, low thermal conductivity, and a high refractive index when compared to Nd:YAG laser. Recent developments have also proved that an Nd:YVO4 laser is capable of producing powerful and stable green and blue lights with the help of frequency doubling crystals.
Its design characteristics have enabled them to be ideal for applications, such as machining, laser printing, medical diagnostics, etc.
Laser Properties
| Laser Properties |
| Laser type |
Solid |
| Pump source |
Laser diode |
| Operating wavelength |
1.064µm |
Physical and Chemical Properties
| Physical and Chemical Properties |
| Chemical formula |
Nd3+:YVO4 |
| Crystal structure |
Tetragonal |
| Melting point |
1810°C |
| Mohs hardness |
5-6 |
| Thermal conductivity |
5 W/mK |
| Young's modulus |
133 GPa |
Applications
Nd:YVO4 laser is well suited for passive mode-locked lasers, such as those with high pulse repetition rates. It is also used for marking applications on metals and plastics, and high speed precision laser engraving. It is well-suited for high power applications, such as spectroscopy, lighting, wafer inspection, and material processing.
References