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Er:Cr:YAG Crystal

POC-OC-122446- Er:Cr:YAG Crystal

  • Broad absorption band for efficient pumping, optimized for 2940 nm laser emission.
  • Excellent thermal conductivity and mechanical durability for stable operations.
  • High slope efficiency and low threshold, suitable for high-power laser systems.
  • Applicable for CW, free-running, and Q-switched laser operations.
  • Customized doping levels and coatings are available for various applications.

Customizable Components Available for This Material to Meet Your Specific Needs!

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Er:Cr:YAG Crystal  Material General Description

The Er,Cr:YAG (Erbium, Chromium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) crystal is a highly efficient solid-state laser material known for its strong emission at 2940 nm. This wavelength corresponds to the hydroxyl absorption peak, making it ideal for precise applications in the medical, dental, and environmental fields.

Chromium doping enhances the pumping efficiency by broadening the absorption band, while erbium doping ensures high conversion efficiency for the mid-IR laser output. The material exhibits excellent thermal and mechanical properties, reducing thermal stress and ensuring long-term operational reliability. With high slope efficiency and low thresholds, Er,Cr:YAG crystals are ideal for both continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed laser operations.

 

Er:Cr:YAG Crystal  General Application and Examples

Er,Cr:YAG crystals have a wide range of applications across industries:

  • Medical Applications: The 2940 nm wavelength aligns with the water absorption peak, enabling precise and effective tissue ablation in surgical procedures, including dermatology, ophthalmology, and dentistry. It is widely used in treatments such as skin resurfacing, dental hard tissue drilling, and lithotripsy.
  • Environmental Monitoring: Er:Cr:YAG Crystal lasers are used for detecting water vapor and other molecules in the atmosphere due to the crystal’s strong absorption properties.
  • Industrial Applications: The robust nature of Er:Cr:YAG Crystal makes it suitable for laser marking, engraving, and drilling, especially in materials requiring precise control over heat distribution.
  • Military and Defense: Its mid-IR emission makes it valuable for rangefinding, secure optical communication, and target designation.
  • Research and Development: It is an excellent choice for high-energy experiments, mid-IR spectroscopy, and optical parametric oscillators.

Chemical and Structural Properties

Property

Value

Crystal Formula

Er,Cr:YAG (Y3Al5O12)

Crystal Structure

Cubic

Lattice Parameter

12.01 Å

Melting Point

1970 °C

Density

4.56 g/cm³

Mohs Hardness

8.5

Thermal Conductivity

10 W/m·K

Thermal Expansion

8.1 × 10^-6/K

Specific Heat

0.65 J/g·K

Doping Levels

Er: 50 at.%, Cr: 1–2 at.%

Optical, Laser and Nonlinear Optical Properties

Property

Value

Emission Wavelength

2940 nm

Pump Bands

600–800 nm

Absorption Peak Wavelengths

808 nm, 980 nm

Fluorescence Lifetime

0.1–10 ms (varies with doping)

Emission Cross-Section

3 × 10^-20 cm²

Laser Transition

4I11/2 → 4I13/2

Optical Clarity (Transmission)

>90%

Standard Fabrication Specifications

Parameter

Specification

Orientation

<111>

Diameter Tolerance

+0/-0.05 mm

Length Tolerance

±0.5 mm

Surface Flatness

λ/10 @ 632 nm

Parallelism

<10 arc sec

Perpendicularity

<5 arc min

Surface Quality (Scratch/Dig)

10-5

Clear Aperture

>90%

Chamfer

0.1 mm x 45°

Spectrum Transmission Curve:

The Er,Cr:YAG crystal demonstrates high transmission efficiency within the 2940 nm range, making it ideal for applications requiring precise wavelength control. POC can provide detailed transmission spectra on request.

Coating Specification:

 

  • AR Coating: Anti-reflection coatings are available for 2940 nm and adjacent wavelengths.
  • Standard Coating: Reflectivity <0.2% @ 2940 nm.
  • Coating Durability: Designed to withstand high-energy pulses and CW operation
  • Adhesion Test Compliant with MIL-C-675C military standards, an adhesion test involved applying a tape that meets LT-90 specifications onto the lens film layer. The tape was affixed fully and then removed vertically. This procedure was performed three times, resulting in no blistering or peeling.
  • Temperature Test In line with MIL-C-675C specifications, test pieces were subjected to temperatures of -62±1℃ and 71±1℃. After maintaining them at room temperature (16℃~32℃) for two hours, the adhesion test was repeated, confirming no film detachment.
  • Abrasion Resistance Test Conforming to MIL-C-675C and CCC-C-440 standards, the abrasion resistance test involved a gauze tester applying a minimum force of 1.0 lbs (0.45 kg) to the film. This was repeated 25 times with gauze widths of 1/4 inch (6.4mm) and 3/8 inch (9.5mm), ensuring no damage occurred to the film surface.
  • Humidity Test Under MIL-C-675C criteria, the test piece was placed in a controlled temperature and humidity chamber set to 49 ±2℃ and 95%~100% humidity for 24 hours. The film remained intact, with no peeling, scratches, or other defects.
  • Solvent and Cleaning Testing Following MIL-C-675C specifications, test pieces were exposed to room temperature conditions (16℃~32℃) and tested with acetone and alcohol for at least 10 minutes each. After air drying and subsequent cleaning with a cotton cloth soaked in alcohol, the film surface showed no signs of peeling or scratches.
  • Salt Spray Test After 100 hours in a 35°C environment with a 5% saltwater concentration, the film showed no signs of damage.

POC Strength and Capabilities

 

Photonics On Crystals (POC) offers Er,Cr:YAG crystals manufactured with high precision and exceptional quality standards. Our extensive expertise ensures:

  • Tailored doping levels to match specific application requirements.
  • Robust AR/HR coatings for diverse laser systems.
  • Advanced fabrication capabilities to meet precise customer specifications.

POC’s commitment to excellence ensures the delivery of crystals with superior performance and reliability across global markets.

Standard Products

Dimension

Length

End Faces

Coating

Price (USD)

3 x 3 mm

10 mm

Brewster

AR @ 2940 nm

Request

5 x 5 mm

15 mm

Flat/Flat

Uncoated

Request

8 x 8 mm

20 mm

Brewster

AR/HR @ 2940 nm

Request

Custom

Custom

Custom

Custom

Request

POC-OC-122446-Er YAG& Er Cr YAG Crystal

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