Photonic crystal structure in Nd:YAG laser crystals

A new fiber-like photonic crystal structure has been fabricated in Nd:YAG laser crystal by using focused ion beam milling and ion implantation techniques. This structure contains a hexagonal lattice array of submicrometric-holes and an artificial photonic defect in the middle region. The enhancement of transmitted light at wavelength of 532 nm as well as micro-photoluminescence (μ-PL) intensity of Nd3+ ions emission line (4F3/2 → 4I9/2) around 938 nm have been observed at photonic defect regime, which are both due to the photonic band gaps of the structure correlated to the defect. This work has shown that the combination of focused ion beam milling and ion implantation could be a powerful tool to develop low threshold integrated laser sources based on the photonic fiber-like structure.

► We fabricated a new fiber-like photonic crystal structure in a Nd:YAG crystal.
► The photonic crystal was formed by ion implantation and focused ion beam milling.
► Enhancement of transmitted light at 532 nm was found from the defect region.
► Enhancement of luminescence intensity at photonic defect regime was observed.