Channel waveguide lasers in bulk Tm:LiYF produced by deep diamond-saw dicing.

We report on a novel approach to fabricate channel (ridge) waveguides (WGs) in bulk crystals using precision diamond saw dicing. The channels feature a high depth-to-width aspect ratio (deep dicing). The proof-of-the-concept is shown for a Tm:LiYF fluoride crystal.

Tm:LiYF4 planar waveguide laser at 1.9 μm.

Continuous wave laser operation at 1.87 μm of liquid-phase epitaxially (LPE) grown Tm(3+)-doped YLiF(4) (Tm:YLF) layers is demonstrated. The waveguide laser delivers 560 mW by pumping with a Ti:Sapphire laser at 780 nm leading to an efficiency of 76% with respect to the absorbed pump power.