Diode-bar end-pumped high-power Nd:Y(3)Al(5)O(12) planar waveguide laser

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Planar waveguide lasers offer potential for high-power and compact laser systems.
• Efficient end-pumping configurations are crucial for maximizing laser output and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a compact, high-power planar waveguide laser.
• To demonstrate efficient end-pumping of a waveguide laser using a diode bar.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an 80-microm-thick Nd:Y(3)Al(5)O(12) core waveguide on a Y(3)Al(5)O(12) substrate using liquid-phase epitaxy.
• End-pumping the waveguide laser with a 20-W diode bar operating near 807 nm.

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum output power of 6.2 W at 1.064 microm.
• Obtained an overall optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 31%.
• The developed laser device has a total length of 5 cm.

Conclusions:

• The compact planar waveguide laser design is effective for high-power applications.
• Liquid-phase epitaxy is a viable method for fabricating high-performance waveguide lasers.
• Diode-bar end-pumping provides high efficiency for compact laser systems.