Cr:YAG

Chromium doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnets (Cr:YAG or Cr⁴⁺:YAG) are laser crystals that serve as Q-switch optics for passively Q-switched diode- or lamp-pumped Nd:YAG, Nd:YLF, Yb:YAG lasers.  Cr:YAG can also function as Q-switch optics for other Nd and Yb doped lasers with a wavelength between 1.0 µm and 1.2 µm.

Cr:YAG is a chemically stable material and stable to UV radiation. Together with the high damage threshold of the crystal, it is possible to replace established materials such as LiF or organic dyes for passive Q-switching with Cr:YAG. The thermal properties of the garnets are suitable for high medium power applications. The material can also be diffusion bonded with Nd:YAG crystals or undoped YAG.