Advances in Transparent Nd:YAG Laser Ceramics

As a new generation of solid state laser gain media, Nd:YAG ceramics are now gradually substituting their single crystal or glass counterparts, owing to its advantages such as easy fabricated, cost-effectiveness and flexibility in fabricating with large size, etc. It has very considerable application prospect. In this paper, from three aspects including optical quality optimization of Nd:YAG transparent ceramics, laser characteristic and the achievement of high power Nd:YAG ceramic laser output, the research progress of Nd:YAG transparent ceramics in China, Japan, America, Europe and Russia are introduced, respectively. The development of composite as well as co-doped Nd:YAG ceramics in China and Japan are also introduced. Finally, the tendency and the main hinders for the development of transparent Nd:YAG ceramics are summarized.