WS2-based Q-switched laser generation from Nd:YAG ridge waveguides fabricated by combination of swift heavy ion irradiation and laser ablation

Abstract We report on the operation of passively Q-switched waveguide lasers in Nd:YAG ridge waveguides based on WS 2 as a saturable absorber (SA). The ridge waveguides are fabricated by swift Kr ion irradiation and femtosecond (fs) laser ablation. The 670 MeV Kr 8+ ion irradiation creates a planar waveguide layer of ∼50-μm thickness in the crystal, and the following laser ablation patterns two parallel air grooves on the planar structure for ridge waveguide construction. Under the optical pump at 808 nm, the Q-switched waveguide laser operation at 1064 nm is realized with WS 2 -based SA, reaching a maximum average output power of 119 mW and a slope efficiency up to 34.5%. The laser pulses are with duration of 209 ns, and with 870 kHz repetition rate corresponding to single-pulse energy of 25 nJ. This WS 2 -based waveguide laser system is a compact pulsed laser source, which may have potential applications in a number of areas.