Measuring the efficiency of Er: YAG 2940nm laser rods
When coming to sourcing an Er: YAG 50% laser rod, there are 2 major parameters to be considered: the slope efficiency of output energy and the threshold of input energy, a figure that tells us when the rod will start lasing. The variation in regard to these 2 specs among vendors is large and directly affects the performance of your system.
We were running a test, measuring the efficiency of Er: YAG 2940nm laser rods under the same condensing cavity and the same pump input conditions, an attenuator was added between the output mirror-end, and the energy meter to test the laser energy, and the output energy of the remaining laser rods is compared with the output energy of our material laser rod to calculate the laser efficiency.
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ER-YAG 50% 2.94 MICRON
Er: YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) is a crystal that is used as a lasing medium in certain types of lasers. It is used primarily in medical and dental applications, such as dental hard and soft tissue ablation, and in skin resurfacing.
The wavelength of light emitted by an Er: YAG laser is 2.94 micrometers, which is well absorbed by water, making it a good choice for cutting or ablation of soft tissue in the body.
The Er: YAG Laser Rod is an optimal optical crystal rod that serves as the gain medium for Er :YAG lasers, emitting at a wavelength of 2.94 microns. The rod supports both continuous wave (CW) and Q-switched (pulsed) operations. Primary applications include dental lasers, due to their deep penetration capabilities in hard tissues such as teeth and bone, as well as in skin resurfacing treatments.
The following is a summary of Er: YAG laser rod test for your reference:
| Supplier | Item | Surface Quality | Quantity | Data (mJ) | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARSUF LASERS | output energy | 10-5 | 1 | 648 | 100.00% |
| A | output energy | 10-5 | 1 | 605 | 93.36% |
| B | output energy | 10-5 68% | 1 | 560 | 86.42% |
| C | output energy | 10-5 | 1 | 500 | 77.16% |
| D | output energy | 10-5 | 1 | 440 | 67.90% |
OTHER SUPPLIERS WE TESTED WERE ALL BELOW 60%!!!!
- We guarantee consistency, fast delivery, and stock material, enabling us to offer stable and competitive pricing.
- A high level of polishing and our hard coating process complete the production cycle.
- Arsuf Lasers also provides engineering support and failure analysis, free if needed.
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Er: YAG Laser Rod — Technical Specification
Purpose: Gain medium for Er: YAG laser system (emission wavelength ~2.94 µm). Suitable for pulsed (Q-switched) and CW operation.
1. Material & Dopant
- Material: Er: YAG (Ytterium Aluminum Garnet host) optical grade.
- Dopant Ion: Er³⁺ (Erbium)
- Dopant Concentration: 50 ±1 at % Er³⁺
2. Dimensions
- Shape: Cylindrical rod, endfaces flat and parallel.
- Diameter: 1-10 mm (±0.02 mm)
- Length: 10–130 mm (±0.5 mm)
- Edge Bevel: 0.75-0.125 mm x 45°
- Edge Finish: Fine grid (400 Mesh)
- Edge Chips: 0.125 mm max (not to exceed bevel diameter)
- Barrel Finish: Ra = 1.6 ±0.02 µm
3. End Surface Finish
- Type: Flat/Flat or Flat/Radius (e.g., 1 meter)
- Parallelism of End Faces: ≤ 5 arc sec
- Scratch-Dig: 10-5 (Side 1 & 2)
- Flatness: λ/10 @ 632.8 nm
- Perpendicularity: ≤ 5 arc minutes
- Wavefront Error: ≤ λ/16 per inch @ 632.8 nm
- Quality Standard: Per MIL-PRF-13830
4. End-Face Coatings & LDT
- Coatings: Optional AR, HR, or PR @ 2.94 µm.
- Angle of Incidence (AOI): 0° (Normal)
- Coating Examples:
- AR @ 2940 nm: R ≤ 0.2% per surface
- HR @ 2940 nm: R ≥ 99.8%
- PR @ 2940 nm: R = 80-95% ±1% (Typical)
- Coating Type: IBS, IAD e-beam.
- Laser Damage Threshold (LDT): ≥ 25-40 J/cm² @ 2.94 µm (Ms pulse)
- Documentation: Coating test data and measured reflectivity/absorption curves provided with delivery.
5. Traceability, Packaging & Warranty
- Traceability: Each rod is serialized. Includes QC dimensional report (parallelism, perpendicularity, etc.) and coating test reports.
- Packaging: Vibration-damped boxes.
- Lead Time: 8 weeks (Typical)
- Warranty: 12 months against manufacturing defects.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Er: YAG Laser Rod is an optimal optical crystal rod that serves as the gain medium for Er :YAG lasers, emitting at a wavelength of 2.94 microns. The rod supports both continuous wave (CW) and Q-switched (pulsed) operations. Primary applications include dental lasers, due to their deep penetration capabilities in hard tissues such as teeth and bone, as well as in skin resurfacing treatments.
The rods can be ordered in cylindrical shapes with diameters ranging from 1 to 10 mm (tolerance up to 0.02 mm) and lengths ranging from 10 to 130 mm (tolerance ±0.5 mm). End-faces can be flat-flat or flat-radius as requested, with finishing specifications, high parallelism, and optical quality conforming to MIL-PRF-13830 standards.
Available coatings include anti-reflective (AR), high-reflective (HR), and partial-reflective (PR) coatings optimized for 2.94 microns wavelength. The damage threshold ranges from 25 to 40 joules per cm² for 10 nanosecond pulses. Coatings are produced using IBS, IAD, or electron beam technologies. Detailed evaporation test results accompany each delivery. LIDT testing is performed externally by specialized laboratories.
Each Er: YAG rod is serialized and supplied with a comprehensive quality report detailing dimensions, parallelism, angles, coating quality, and testing data. Rods are packaged in vibration-damped cases. The typical lead time is approximately 8 weeks. A 12-month warranty covers manufacturing defects.
The rods are supplied with flat or radius end-faces, face parallelism up to 5 arc seconds, flatness of 10/λ waves (λ=632.8 nm), surface quality to MIL-PRF-13830 standards (10/5 scratch/dig), and very high fracture threshold.
Yes, each rod is shipped with full quality control documentation, including parallelism, surface quality, coating characteristics, and reflectance/absorption measurements, ensuring full compliance with international standards.
We utilize advanced American crystals and apply multiple coating technologies to achieve optimal results. Following delivery, performance testing is conducted with customers (fault responsibility on the customer side). If performance issues arise, we analyze and rectify them until successful validation.
Our coating process is highly refined through years of R&D and extensive feedback from clients. The quality of crystals and proprietary coating technologies delivers higher output energy and damage thresholds beyond the industry average.
No, our process is free of reactive materials and environmentally friendly.
Commitment to Quality Excellence
At Arsuf Lasers, we are proud to uphold the highest standards in quality management, as demonstrated by our ISO 9001 certification. This certification reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence, ensuring that every process we implement meets rigorous international standards. Our dedication to quality allows us to consistently deliver precise, reliable, and innovative laser solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients.
Click the certificate image below to view our ISO 9001 certificate.
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