Abstract

Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) crystals are one of the favorite gain media for solid-state lasers owing to their outstanding fluorescence, thermal and mechanical properties. In this material planar and channel waveguides have been realized recently using ion beam irradiation or fs laser inscription [1,2]. Here we report on fabrication of ridge waveguides in a Nd:YAG crystal by using a combination of ion irradiation and precise diamond blade dicing. A slope efficiency of 43% and a maximum output power of 84 mW have been reached, which shows superior lasing performance with respect to the planar waveguide counterpart.

© 2013 IEEE