Guided-wave second harmonics in Nd:YCOB optical waveguides for integrated green lasers

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear optics
• Materials science
• Laser technology

Background:

• Nonlinear optical waveguides are crucial for frequency conversion applications.
• Nd:YCa4O(BO3)3 (Nd:YCOB) is a nonlinear crystal with potential for laser applications.
• Fabrication of high-quality optical waveguides is essential for efficient nonlinear processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate guided-wave second-harmonic generation in Nd:YCOB optical waveguides.
• To explore the fabrication of these waveguides using swift Ar8+ ion irradiation.
• To assess the potential of these waveguides as compact green laser sources.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Nd:YCOB optical waveguides via low-fluence swift Ar8+ ion irradiation.
• Experimental realization of guided-wave second-harmonic generation.
• Utilizing optical pumps at 1064 nm and 810 nm for frequency doubling and self-frequency-doubling.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of nonlinear Nd:YCOB optical waveguides.
• Demonstration of guided-wave second-harmonic generation through frequency doubling and self-frequency-doubling.
• Achieved efficient nonlinear optical processes within the fabricated waveguides.

Conclusions:

• Nd:YCOB optical waveguides produced by swift ion irradiation are effective for second-harmonic generation.
• The self-frequency-conversion configuration in these waveguides is promising.
• These waveguides represent novel, compact, miniature green laser sources.