Optical channel waveguides in Nd:LGS laser crystals produced by proton implantation

Optical channel waveguides have been produced for the first time in Nd:LGS multi-functional laser crystals by using proton implantation. The obtained good guiding performance exhibits the well-confined modal fields in the waveguiding structures. The confocal fluorescence images of the obtained waveguides have revealed that the photoluminescence properties of the Nd(3+) ions have been well-preserved in the waveguide's active volume, which suggests promising applications as multi-functional integrated laser generation elements. These images have been also used to elucidate the spatial distribution of lattice damage and distortion caused by the implantation process, which are both mainly located at the nuclear collision region.