YAG laser and fibre lasers? Are they the same?

The Infrared laser light around 1064 nm or 1 micrometre wave length lasers are conceived in the same material: yttrium-aluminium garnett (YAG) doped with a Neodium element. in the case of a fibre laser, the laser light is generated in the same material as the cristal rod solid-state laser. But then stops the comparison between fibre lasers and solid-state YAG lasers.

The classical YAG laser uses a solid lase cavity to generate the laser light bouncing between two mirrors. Due to the extreme positioning accuracy of the mirrors and the water cooling around the crystal, we get a complex, unstable laser source. Decades of development made this laser the preferred university study object. Industrial applications demand reliable laser sources without needing scientists around to keep the machine running.

With all respect to the enormous developments done in this field, it is not the most preferred laser source in the industrial world. Industrial applications are always demanding continuous improvement quality: cutting/welding thicker steel controlling the surface heat impact. This requires a better laser light quality. In short, the laser quality of your generated light beam is equal to the focability to the most minor laser spot on the surface. This is a problematic point for YAG lasers, seeing the laser cavity restrictions. Instead, the fibre laser can achieve a far higher light quality and stable quality in long production runs. Integrating YAG lasers demands extra controlling sensors to ensure a well-known calibrated laser beam before you start welding. This adds extra costs and process uncertainty in already complex welding processes. I would say a cleaning process is a bit less critical than most welding applications but it is clear the pulsed fibre laser is also, in this field the preferred tool.