Work

Delay optimisation of Gradient-Doped Nd: YAG laser ceramics via active mixing of Direct ink writing

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Nd:YAG is an ideal gain medium for solid state lasers. Gradient doping with rare earth ions can relieve thermal effect during laser operation. DIW is an effective method for fabricating gradient-doped laser ceramics. However, the delay issue in printing multicomponent gradient-doped ceramics significantly affects rare-earth ion concentration distribution in the samples. The delay includes delivery and transitional delay. They were respectively optimised by reducing the volume of mixing zone and modifying component switching mode. Firstly, simulations of the mixing zone before and after optimisation were conducted using ANSYS Fluent to demonstrate the mixing uniformity. Secondly, the processes of component changes during extrusion were simulated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the two delay optimisation methods and provide guidance for the experiments. Line patterns were printed using DIW with varying mixing zone volumes and component switching modes. The delay optimisation methods were confirmed to reduce the impact of the delay by measuring Nd3+ ion concentration. Furthermore, a mathematical model was developed to assess the influence of two methods on the delay. Finally, 0–0.5–1–0 at% Nd: YAG gradient-doped laser ceramics were successfully fabricated based on delay optimisation method, the performance characterization of the Nd: YAG laser ceramics confirmed the efficacy of the method.

Source: Materials & Design

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2025.113978