Q-Las
The Q-Las belongs to the solid-state laser category.
More precisely, this ophthalmic laser is a Nd:YAG laser (neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium garnet) optically pumped by a laser diode (µ-Chip technology). The Nd³⁺ ions in the YAG crystal absorb light from the diode and become excited until the threshold of population inversion is reached. The crystal is then ready to emit laser radiation.
To capture the spontaneous emission, the Nd:YAG crystal is placed inside a resonant optical cavity formed by two parallel mirrors: one fully reflective, the other partially transmissive.
Photons bounce between the mirrors and trigger successive stimulated emissions. This process amplifies the light until a coherent, collimated and monochromatic laser beam (1064 nm) exits through the partially transmissive mirror.
Diode pumping is what sets the Q-Las apart from the competition.