Low loss (0.5 dB/cm) Nd:Gd3Ga5O12 waveguide layers grown by pulsed laser deposition

Abstract

Nd:Gd3Ga5O12 planar waveguides, with significantly improved optical properties over those previously reported, have been fabricated on Y3Al5O12 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Waveguide losses as low as 0.5 dB/cm have been obtained, determined by measuring the absorbed power lasing threshold with different output coupler reflectivities for both the 1060 nm and 937 nm lasing wavelengths. This order of magnitude improvement in waveguide loss is attributed to the much improved surface morphology and lower particulate count of the thin film samples.