Efficient laser emission in diode-pumped Nd:YAG buried waveguides realized by direct femtosecond-laser writing

Laser emission at 1.06 and 1.3 mu m under pumping with diode lasers was obtained from buried waveguides that were realized in a 0.7 at.% Nd:YAG single crystal by direct writing with a femtosecond laser. A depressed circular waveguide with a diameter of 110 mu m yielded laser pulses at 1.06 mu m with an energy of 1.4 mJ under the pump with pulses of 9.1 mJ energy at 807 nm; in continuous-wave operation, an output power of 0.54 W with optical to optical efficiency of 0.14 was achieved. Emission at 1.3 mu m is demonstrated for the first time from such waveguides, with an energy of 0.4 mJ per pulse. Results for laser emission in other depressed cladding types and two-line-type waveguides are discussed.