A ytterbium- and neodymium-co-doped yttrium aluminum garnet–buried channel waveguide laser pumped at 0.81 μm

Abstract

In this paper we will explain the preparation of an epitaxially grown ytterbium- and neodymium-co-doped yttrium aluminum garnet [(Yb,Nd):YAG]–buried channel waveguide laser on a YAG substrate. Waveguides, whose cores are formed with Ar ion beam etching, demonstrate single-mode operation. The (Yb,Nd):YAG waveguide laser operates at 1.03 μm when pumped at 0.81 μm, as a result of a nonradiative energy transfer from Nd3+ ions to Yb3+ ions. The incident threshold and slope efficiency of the 5 mm long waveguide laser are 235 mW and 13%, respectively. Output power of 50 mW is obtained for an incident power of 620 mW at room temperature.