CW laser oscillation in Z-cut Nd-diffused Ti:MgO:LiNbO3 waveguides

Rare-earth doped LiNbO3 waveguide lasers have been studied for implementation of waveguide devices with new functions. CW laser oscillation in a Nd-doped Z-cut Ti:LiNbO3 waveguide was first demonstrated in this paper. Key issues for the implementation of the waveguide lasers included preparation of high-quality Nd-doped crystals and suppression of photorefractive damage. Nd thermal diffusion technique was used to prepare the Nd-doped crystals. MgO-doped LiNbO3 crystals were used to suppress the damage. A prototype waveguide laser of 14-mm long was fabricated, and CW oscillation was achieved at a wavelength of 1085 nm by optical pumping at 809 nm. The threshold power was 27 mW at room temperature and 7 mW at 120 degrees C.