Study of optical waveguides in Nd:YAG and Nd:YVO4 crystals

Optical waveguides have been produced in Nd:YAG and Nd:YVO4 crystals by either proton or carbon implantation. The analysis includes refractive index profiles, spectroscopic properties and particularly laser emission characteristics in the YAG guides. Typical optical barrier profiles were obtained when protons were used. In the case of YVO4, carbon implantation produced a considerable refractive index variation in the guiding region, increasing the ordinary index and reducing the extraordinary index. The spectroscopic studies show that emission bands coming from the 4F3/2 level are not significantly altered by the ion beam process, thus maintaining the crystal quality in the guiding region. The YAG waveguides exhibit good laser emission characteristics at 1 064 nm and high stability in the CW regime.