Open AccessSpectral narrowing of Yb:YAG waveguide lasers through hybrid integration with ultrafast laser written Bragg gratings
Author(s) -
Peter Dekker,
Martin Ams,
Thomas Calmano,
Simon Gross,
Christian Kränkel,
G. Huber,
Michael J. Withford
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.020195
Subject(s) - optics , laser , materials science , fiber bragg grating , optoelectronics , ultrashort pulse , waveguide , grating , broadband , tunable laser , physics
Laser written waveguides in crystalline materials can be used to make highly efficient, high gain lasers. The bi-directional emission from such lasers however is typically broadband with poor spectral control. Hybridizing a tapered, mode matched laser written Bragg grating with a broadband Yb:YAG crystalline waveguide laser, we demonstrate single longitudinal mode output from one end of the device. Careful control of the grating characteristics led to laser thresholds below 90 mW, slope efficiencies greater than 42% and output powers greater than 20 mW.