Green-induced infrared absorption in annealed proton-exchanged MgO:LiNbO3 waveguides

The green-induced infrared absorption (GRIIRA) effect in annealed proton-exchanged (APE) MgO-doped LiNbO3 (MgO:LiNbO3) waveguides was investigated experimentally. By directly measuring the green-light-induced transmittance change in the waveguides, the GRIIRA coefficients of the waveguides were studied at a light power density level of several MW/cm(2). GRIIRA effects in APE MgO:LiNbO3 and nondoped MgO:LiNbO3 waveguides were compared. The GRIIRA-induced temperature gradient from the waveguide core to the ambient environment was simulated using the measured results. Potential impacts of such temperature gradients on MgO:LiNbO3-based green lasers have been discussed. Optimization temperature control methods have also been discussed. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America