Dual-polarization-pump CW laser operation in Nd3+:LiNbO3 channel waveguides fabricated by reverse proton exchange

In this work, continuous-wave laser action at 1084.5 nm at room temperature in LiNbO3:Nd3+ channel waveguides, fabricated by reverse proton exchange (RPE), is reported. The sample was pumped at λ = 808 nm in either σ or π-polarized configurations, TE- and TM-pumping schemes, being the laser emission π-polarized at all power levels. The laser characteristics, as function of the pumping scheme (TE or TM), have been obtained. In both cases, the laser emission was stable, without any reduction in the output power even under continuous pump operation at maximum power at room temperature, indicating high resistance to photorefractive damage.