Highly efficient Yb3+-doped channel waveguide laser at 981 nm

Area of Science:

• Solid-state laser technology
• Materials science and engineering
• Photonics and optoelectronics

Background:

• Channel waveguide lasers offer miniaturization and high power potential.
• Rare-earth-ion-doped materials are crucial for laser applications.
• Optimizing Ytterbium-doped materials is key for efficient laser operation.

Purpose of the Study:

• Demonstrate 981 nm channel waveguide lasers in a novel Yb3+-doped material.
• Achieve high slope efficiency and output power.
• Compare laser performance under different pumping conditions.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of KY(1-x-y)Gd(x)Lu(y)(WO4)2:Yb3+ waveguides using liquid phase epitaxy.
• Microstructuring of waveguides via Ar+ beam etching.
• Optical pumping experiments at 934 nm and 981 nm.

Main Results:

• Record-high slope efficiency of 76% achieved with 934 nm pumping.
• Record-high output power of 650 mW demonstrated for microstructured waveguide lasers.
• Comparison of laser performance at 981 nm (lasing near 1025 nm) versus 934 nm pumping.

Conclusions:

• The developed Yb3+-doped channel waveguide lasers show exceptional performance.
• Liquid phase epitaxy and Ar+ beam etching are effective fabrication techniques.
• Optimized pumping at 934 nm yields superior laser efficiency and power output.