title: Performance of a low-loss pulsed-laser-deposited Nd:Gd(3) Ga(5)O(12) waveguide laser at 1.06 and 0.94 mum.
abstract: We report the laser performance of a low-propagation-loss neodymium-doped Gd(3)Ga(5)O(12) (Nd:GGG) waveguide fabricated by pulsed-laser deposition. An 8- mum -thick crystalline Nd:GGG film grown upon an undoped Y(3)Al(5)O(12) substrate lases at 1.060 and 1.062 microm when pumped by a Ti:sapphire laser operating at 740 or 808nm.Using a 2.2% output coupler, we observed a 1060-nm laser threshold of 4mW and a slope efficiency of 20%. Laser action was also achieved, for what we believe is the first time in Nd:GGG, on the quasi-three-level 937-nm transition. With a 2% output coupler at this wavelength a laser threshold of 17mW and a 20% slope efficiency were obtained. This demonstration of low propagation loss combined with the fact that these waveguides have a very high numerical aperture (0.75) makes pulsed-laser-deposited thin films attractive for high-power diode-pumped devices.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bonner
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Eason
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grivas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vainos