SELF-FREQUENCY-DOUBLED HIGH DELTA-N PROTON-EXCHANGE NDLINBO3 WAVE-GUIDE LASER

We report the realization of the first self-frequency-doubled waveguide laser. The structure is based on a high DELTA-n proton exchange waveguide in z-cut Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 which leads to new lasing wavelengths in the material. Two types of self-doubled harmonic radiation have been observed: guided semi-leaky waves and Cerenkov waves. Cerenkov type sum frequency generation, due to an interaction between the pump and laser frequencies, has also been observed. Parametric conversion efficiencies with the configuration described are limited to low values, essentially because of mode conversion effects due to constraints introduced by the high DELTA-n proton exchange.