Laser equipment delivers exceptional performance in terms of precision, speed, and quality for engraving and marking processes. As a result, it is widely used across industries requiring high reliability, from jewelry making to industry and even the medical field.
Various types of lasers are available on the market, all based on the same fundamental principle. The term "Laser" stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation," referring to tools that amplify energy and emit it as a monochromatic, coherent, and unidirectional light beam. When properly directed and calibrated, this beam can engrave or cut metals and other materials. This is achieved by using different types of laser sources, each offering unique performance in terms of longevity, precision, and energy efficiency.
Types of Laser Sources
All lasers require an active laser medium (solid, liquid, or gas) that is energized through a pumping system, emitting energy in the form of light radiation. This emission is captured by a resonator, which amplifies it through a mirror system, producing the laser beam that can be applied to countless processes, from engraving jewelry to cutting metal cylinders or removing organic tissue in surgeries.
The active medium plays a pivotal role in the machine’s functionality and can vary: some lasers utilize a gas mixture (CO₂ lasers), others use liquid active media like ethanol or methanol, while solid-state lasers employ materials like glass fibers (fiber lasers) or crystalline lattices embedded with specific metallic ions. This last category, known as solid-state lasers, uses transition metals or rare earth ions embedded in a dielectric host material (non-conductive). Among solid-state lasers, Nd:YAG lasers are the most common, utilizing Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) crystals doped with Neodymium (Nd). However, research is advancing to make new active media more accessible, particularly those based on Cerium. Examples include Ce:LiSAF and Ce:LICAF lasers, as well as dual-doped Nd:Ce:YAG lasers.
The choice of active medium affects the laser's precision, efficiency, longevity, and sustainability. Rare earth elements as active sources offer exceptional long-term performance, paving the way for innovations that make lasers increasingly competitive and efficient.
Rare Earths: What They Are, Their Uses, and Their Industrial Impact
Rare earths are a category of chemical elements comprising 17 metals: Yttrium, Scandium, and 15 Lanthanides, the periodic table elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71. Both Neodymium and Cerium, mentioned earlier, belong to this group. Despite the name, rare earths are relatively abundant on Earth's surface and share similar magnetic and conductive properties.
These properties have made rare earths invaluable in industry, especially as extraction and separation techniques have improved. Today, rare earths are widely used in electronics—such as in the touchscreens of smartphones and tablets—as well as in electric and hybrid vehicle batteries, solar panels, sensors, fiber optics, and lasers. Consequently, their market demand has surged in recent decades.
Rare earths outperform other materials in numerous applications. For instance, Cerium has proven to be highly efficient as a laser active medium, offering high absorption coefficients with minimal energy consumption. Lasers incorporating this rare earth, such as Elettrolaser welders using Nd:Ce:YAG active media, excel when high power is needed. They are also more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, as the output energy is higher for the same input energy.
Moreover, Cerium extends the laser equipment’s lifespan by allowing the machinery to operate at lower power levels, reducing wear while maintaining high-quality results.
The availability of new laser sources ensures enhanced efficiency and sustainability, boosting the competitiveness of laser-based technologies.
Want to learn more about Elettrolaser’s laser features, R&D activities, or equipment performance for engraving and marking? Contact us today!
