YbYAG crystal is
more suitable for diode-pumping than the traditional Nd-doped systems. It can
be pumped at 0.94 μm laser output. Compared with the commonly used Nd:YAG
crystal, Yb:YAG crystal has a much larger absorption bandwidth to reduce
thermal management requirements for diode lasers, a longer upper-state
lifetime, three to four times lower thermal loading per unit pump power. Yb:YAG
crystal is expected to replace Nd:YAG crystal for high power diode-pumped
lasers and other potential applications.
