Laser Crystals

Welcome to our extensive library of high-performance laser crystals. The key to a successful photonics system is the perfect gain medium to achieve the specific wavelength, power and operational characteristics you need.

We specialize in the precision growth, doping, and polishing of a vast array of laser crystals. Our commitment to exceptional optical quality, stringent tolerances, and reliable performance ensures your laser systems operate at their peak.

Laser Crystal List

What Is a Laser Crystal?

A laser crystal is the optical gain medium inside a solid-state laser that produces stimulated emission when it is pumped. It's the material that stores energy and then releases it as coherent laser light when the laser cavity stimulates the excited atoms/ions to emit photons in phase.

How it works:

• Dopant + Host: Most crystals are a host (YAG, sapphire, etc.) doped with a small amount of an active ion (Nd³⁺, Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, Cr³⁺, Ti³⁺, etc.). The dopant supplies the electronic energy levels to be used for lasing; the host supplies the optical, thermal and mechanical environment.
• Pumping: Light from a flashlamp or diode laser "pumps" energy into the doped ions, exciting them to a higher energy level.
• Stimulated Emission: When these ions return to their lower energy level, they emit photons.
• Output: Wavelength and bandwidth are set by the dopant's energy levels and the host's influence. Some hosts/dopants are broadly tunable (e.g., Ti:Sapphire, Alexandrite); others lase on narrow discrete lines (e.g., Nd:YAG at 1064 nm).

Morphology and XRD curves of YAG and Nd:YAG single crystals. [1]

Our Laser Crystal Families

• Neodymium (Nd) Doped Crystals

The workhorses of solid-state lasers, offering high efficiency and powerful output at common wavelengths like 1064 nm.

Examples: Nd:YAG, Nd:YVO₄, Nd:YLF, Nd:GdVO₄, Nd:KGW...

• Ytterbium (Yb) Doped Crystals

Ideal for high-power and ultrafast laser applications, known for a simple energy level structure and low quantum defect.

Examples: Yb:YAG, Yb:CALGO, Yb:KGW, Yb:CaF₂...

• Tunable & Ultrafast Laser Crystals

For applications requiring broad wavelength tuning or the generation of ultra-short pulses.

Examples:

• Ti:Sapphire - The premier choice for wide tunability and femtosecond pulses.
• Cr:LiSAF- Offers broad tunability and is diode-pumpable.
• Cr³⁺:BeAl₂O₄ - A robust crystal for tunable and short-pulse lasers in the near-IR.

• Erbium (Er) & Thulium (Tm) Doped Crystals

Providing essential eye-safe wavelengths for telecommunications, lidar, and medical surgery.

Examples: Er:YAG, Ho:Cr:Tm:YAG, Er:Yb:YAB...

• Passive Q-Switches

Crystals used to generate high-power, short-duration pulses in laser cavities, such as Cr⁴⁺:YAG.

• Specialty & Composite Crystals

Advanced solutions designed to overcome thermal limitations and enable new laser designs.

Customization Options

• Precision orientation, cut, polishing (surface quality, flatness), and beveling.
• Doping control and co-doping options (tailored absorption and lifetimes).
• AR coatings, high-damage-threshold coatings, and spectral filter coatings.
• Diffusion bonding and composite assemblies for improved thermal management and reliability.
• Laser rod/wafer testing: spectral, absorption, fluorescence lifetime, and beam-quality checks.

Typical Applications of Laser Crystals

• Ultrafast oscillators and amplifiers
• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers for industry and research
• Medical lasers and surgical systems
• Eye-safe and LIDAR systems
• Tunable laser sources for spectroscopy
• High-energy pulsed lasers for materials processing and research

Reference

1. Kostić, S., et al. Materials Research Bulletin 63 (2015): 80-87.