What are the primary chromophores for Nd:YAG lasers?

The primary chromophores for Nd:YAG lasers mainly include melanin and hemoglobin due to their strong absorption characteristics at the wavelengths emitted by these lasers. Nd:YAG lasers operate primarily at a wavelength of around 1064 nanometers in continuous wave or pulsed modes, which is well absorbed by both melanin, found in skin and hair, and hemoglobin, present in blood.

Melanin plays a crucial role in dermatological procedures, where the laser is utilized for hair removal and various skin treatments. Hemoglobin's absorption makes the Nd:YAG laser effective for vascular lesions and other applications where blood flow is involved, as it can target the hemoglobin without significantly impacting the surrounding tissue.

While other options mention chromophores like collagen, water, fatty acids, and plasma, they do not absorb energy from Nd:YAG lasers as effectively as melanin and hemoglobin do, making them less relevant as primary chromophores in the context of Nd:YAG laser applications.