Nd:Ce:YAG crystals Cerium is used as sensitizer for Nd3+ ions because it has strong absorption in UV region. Ce increases transfer to the Nd3+ excited state. At this point- thermal distortion in Nd: Ce:YAG is less and the output laser energy isgreater than in usual Nd:YAG with the same pumping parameters. Emission wavelength at 1064 nm and thermal conductivity of the Nd:Ce:YAG crystals are the same as for Nd:YAG.