Continuous-wave lasing at 1.06 μm in femtosecond laser written Nd:KGW waveguides

•Channel waveguides were fabricated in Nd:KGW crystal by femtosecond laser writing.•Fluorescence properties were well preserved in the waveguide core.•Waveguide lasing at 1.06 μm was realized with a high slope efficiency of 52.3%.

We report on the buried channel waveguide laser at 1065 nm in Nd:KGW waveguides fabricated by femtosecond laser writing with dual-line approach. A relatively high scanning speed of 0.5 mm/s enables acceptable propagation loss less than 2 dB/cm. The fluorescence emission spectra of Nd3+ ions measured shows that the fluorescence properties were well preserved in the waveguide region. A stable continuous wave laser at 1065 nm has been obtained at room temperature in the buried channel waveguides by optical pumping at 808 nm. A maximum output power of 33 mW and a slope efficiency of 52.3% were achieved in the Nd:KGW waveguide laser system.