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Resonantly pumped single-mode channel waveguide Er:YAG laser with nearly quantum defect limited efficiency
N Ter-Gabrielyan1, V Fromzel, X Mu
1US Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, Maryland 20783, USA. nikolay.e.ter‑gabrielyan.civ@mail.mil
Optics Letters
|August 14, 2013
Summary
Researchers achieved continuous-wave operation in a novel Er:YAG waveguide laser, reaching high efficiency and diffraction-limited output. This breakthrough in laser technology offers significant advancements for various applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Erbium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG) lasers are crucial for various applications.
- Developing efficient and compact waveguide lasers remains a key challenge in photonics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate continuous-wave operation of a resonantly pumped Er:YAG single-mode channel waveguide laser.
- To achieve high optical-to-optical efficiency and diffraction-limited output.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a longitudinally core-pumped, nearly square Er3+:YAG waveguide (61.2 μm×61.6 μm).
- Embedded the waveguide in an undoped YAG cladding for enhanced performance.
- Employed resonant pumping for efficient energy transfer.
Main Results:
- Achieved continuous-wave operation with diffraction-limited output.
- Obtained an output power of 9.1 W.
- Reached a slope efficiency of 92.8% (versus absorbed pump power).
- Demonstrated the highest optical-to-optical efficiency for a channel waveguide laser to date.
Conclusions:
- The developed Er:YAG channel waveguide laser exhibits excellent performance characteristics.
- This technology represents a significant advancement in efficient, high-power waveguide laser systems.
- The high efficiency and beam quality pave the way for new applications in laser technology.
