{"id":9464,"date":"2022-08-13T05:03:38","date_gmt":"2022-08-13T05:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.szlaser.com\/?page_id=9464"},"modified":"2022-08-16T11:12:08","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T11:12:08","slug":"ndyag-lasers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.szlaser.com\/index.php\/wiki\/ndyag-lasers\/","title":{"rendered":"CO2 Lasers, Nd:YAG Lasers and Fiber Lasers – Which is Right for me?"},"content":{"rendered":"

CO2 Lasers, Nd:YAG Lasers and Fiber Lasers – Which is Right for me?<\/span><\/h1><\/div>

Now with so many choices on laser marking systems these, it’s no surprise that many people are confused about which is best for their application.
\nMany people don’t even know that the word “laser” is actually an acronym – light amplification caused by the emission of stimulated radiation – explaining the process by which a laser beam is created. The basic theory here is simple. The gain medium (material used to generate laser light) is excited with light or electricity to generate photons (laser light). All of this takes place in a closed cavity with a total reflecting mirror at one end and a half reflecting mirror at the other. When the internal reflected light gains enough energy, it escapes through the half mirror. And then these high-energy photons are focused to a small spot (like what you did when you used a magnifying glass to focus the sun’s rays to burn things up at school!). In the case of a vector laser, a pair of reflecting mirrors (X and Y deflection) are used to deflect and direct the beam.
\nThis guide will help you understand the capabilities of the three most common lasers on the market today:<\/p>\n<\/div>

CO2 Lasers<\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

Use electrical energy (DC, AC, or RF) to pump (excite\/heat) the carbon dioxide gas (and other gases, most commonly nitrogen and helium) sealed inside the laser, and produce a stream of photons.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Nd: YAG<\/span><\/a> Laser<\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

Nd.YAG<\/span><\/a> is its English abbreviated name, from (Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet; Nd: Y3Al5O12) or Chinese called yttrium aluminum garnet crystal, Yttrium aluminum garnet crystals are its active substances, the content of Nd atoms in the bulk crystal is 0.6-1.1%. It is a solid laser, which can excite pulsed laser or continuous laser. The emitted laser is infrared wavelength of 1064nm.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Fiber Laser<\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

A glass fiber doped with rare earth ions (most commonly ((Yb3+)) is diode-pumped and the generating photons are reflected down the fiber to a deflecting mirror.<\/p>\n<\/div>

What’s the difference?<\/h1><\/div>

The basic difference between Nd:YAG<\/span><\/a>\/fiber lasers and CO2 lasers is the wavelength of the beam they produced. The light emitted by the laser lies in the “invisible-infrared” region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
\nThe wavelength of light emitted by YAG and fiber lasers (1.064 \u00b5m) is 10 times smaller precisely than the wavelength of carbon dioxide lasers (10.6 \u00b5m).
\nThis smaller wavelength also means that if the Nd:YAG<\/span><\/a>\/fiber and CO2 lasers are used for the same application (with the same settings), the spot size of the Nd:YAG<\/span><\/a>\/fiber is much smaller and therefore the resolution of the marking higher.<\/p>\n<\/div>

What is the difference in impact?<\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

These wavelengths determine which laser should be used according to its application, as the materials to be marked will have different absorption capabilities (the ability to absorb different wavelengths of light). If a material can absorb light, then it may be affected.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Which one should be selected for metal application?<\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

Most metals have high reflectivity and are therefore best suited for Nd:YAG<\/span><\/a> or fiber lasers. The much shorter wavelength means less reflection of the beam on surfaces, so less energy is lost, and therefore easier metal processing. Metals absorb more light energy, will changes its physical properties.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Which one should be used for non-metal application?<\/h2><\/h2><\/div>

Organic materials such as wood, acrylic, plastics, fabrics and transparent objects are better suited for CO2 laser because of longer wavelengths and more degrees of freedom. However, Nd:YAG<\/span><\/a> and fiber lasers can also be used to mark some non-metals. But, if the object is transparent (eg glass), the YAG\/fiber laser will pass through without marking.\n

\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n wdt_ID<\/th> Material<\/th> YAG Laser Marker<\/th> CO2 Laser Marker<\/th> <\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n
1<\/td>\n Plastic<\/td>\n \u25cb<\/td>\n \u25cb<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\n Metal<\/td>\n \u25cb<\/td>\n \u25cb<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\n Transparent object (glass, plastic)<\/td>\n \u00d7<\/td>\n \u25cb<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\n Ceramic<\/td>\n \u25cb<\/td>\n \u25cb<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody> \n\n \n \n \n\n <\/table>\n\n<\/div>