Buried laser waveguides in neodymium-doped BK-7 by K⁺-Na⁺ ion-exchange across a direct-bonded interface

• Main Authors: Gawith, Corin B.E (Author), Bhutta, Tajamal (Author), Shepherd, David P. (Author), Hua, Ping (Author), Wang, Ji (Author), Ross, Graeme W. (Author), Smith, Peter G.R (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1999-10.
• Subjects: Article
• Online Access: Get fulltext

We report a technique for producing single-step buried K⁺-Na⁺ ion-exchanged waveguide lasers in neodymium doped BK-7. Direct bonding is the basis for this process, providing atomic contact between two chemically modified BK-7-type substrates followed by a 350°C treatment suitable for simultaneous annealing and intersubstrate ion-exchange. Characterization of a 6-mm long device was performed using a Ti:Sapphire laser operating at 808 nm. The resultant laser output exhibited TE polarized single-spatial-mode operation with losses of < 0.4 dB /cm and a maximum output power of 8.5 mW for 249 mW of absorbed pump power.