Abstract

Waveguide based solid-state lasers are key components in the quest to realise a compact, robust fully integrated optical circuit with advanced functionality including pulsed operation. Ta₂O₅ has been a promising host material for the realization of an integrated rare-earth doped waveguide laser as it offers many important attributes such as good ability to host rare-earth ions, a high refractive index (n ≈ 2.124 at λ ≈ 980 nm) and a large third order nonlinearity [1]. Here, we present an integrated rib waveguide laser in Yb:Ta₂O₅ with quantification of the laser slope efficiency and threshold in respect to absorbed pump power as well as presenting its lasing spectrum. Symmetrical rib waveguides with a thickness of 1 μm defined by a shallow etch of 150 nm were fabricated in Yb:Ta₂O₅ and encapsulated in silica cladding. These waveguides were designed for single mode operation for wavelengths ranging from 970 nm to 1100 nm, covering typical operational regions of Yb-doped materials. The fabrication process used conventional CMOS technologies which have been previously reported in [1], where spectroscopic characterisation of similar Yb-doped waveguides was included.

© 2015 IEEE