Solid-state lasers (SSLs) use a crystalline or glass material doped with an ion, which is the lasing species. These lasers use flashlamps or diodes to pump the ions to excited levels, which then emit radiation. The first laser, a ruby laser, is an SSL. Recently, these lasers have been scaled to higher power levels for a variety of government and commercial applications. The most common SSL is based on neodymium (Nd) doped into crystals such as Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG). Nd:YAG lasers emit radiation at 1.06 m m, an excellent wavelength for transmission through the atmosphere.

Although currently not as powerful as their chemical counterparts, solid-state lasers are well-suited to a wide variety of defense missions - from destroying incoming threats to illuminating targets, from air defense to mine destruction, from ship protection to electronic warfare.  This versatile technology also simplifies field logistics and operations, and is readily adapted for use aboard a wide range of air-, land-, sea-, and space-based platforms.

Solid-state lasers (SSLs) use a crystalline or glass material doped with an ion, which is the lasing species. These lasers use flashlamps or diodes to pump the ions to excited levels, which then emit radiation. The first laser, a ruby laser, is an SSL. Recently, these lasers have been scaled to higher power levels for a variety of government and commercial applications. The most common SSL is based on neodymium (Nd) doped into crystals such as Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG). Nd:YAG lasers emit radiation at 1.06 m m, an excellent wavelength for transmission through the atmosphere.