Abstract

BeO and AI₂O₃ are commonly used materials for waveguide lasers because of their waveguiding properties and high thermal conductivity. However, dust from BeO is toxic, and alumina is difficult to machine. For many applications, particularly those in the laboratory, an alternative material is desirable. This paper reports on the performance of rf-excited waveguide lasers fabricated from Macor,¹ a machinable ceramic. This material can be dry machined to close tolerances with conventional HISS tools, allowing the construction of relatively complex structures, and to a high surface finish, an important consideration in avoiding waveguiding losses, its main disadvantage is its relatively poor thermal conductivity, an order of magnitude worse than Al₂O₃.

© 1988 Optical Society of America