Mechanism of the influence of γ radiation on the energy characteristics of YAG:Nd3+ crystals

A study was made of a mechanism responsible for the deterioration of the energy characteristics of YAG:Nd³⁺ crystal lasers caused by the action of γ rays. The main cause of the reduction in the output energy of the laser as a result of γ irradiation was an increase in the short-lived losses at the wavelength of 1.06 μ, which appeared in the laser crystal under the action of the flashlamp radiation.