Efficient channel-waveguide laser in Nd:GGG at 1.062 μm wavelength

Channel waveguide lasers in crystals of neodymium-doped gadolinium-gallium-garnet are realized. They are based on single-mode rib waveguides prepared by liquid phase epitaxy. By this growth technique the incorporation of certain impurities, which may cause severe quenching, is inevitable. The dominant quenching process could be identified and eliminated. Channel waveguides with extremely low losses, down to 0.25 dB/cm for both TE and TM modes, are fabricated by ion-beam etching. As a result, low thresholds of 5 mW and high slope efficiencies of 48% at the laser wavelength of 1.062 mu m could be achieved when pumping at a wavelength of 807 nm. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)04735-X].