Yb-diffused LiNbO/sub 3/ annealed/proton-exchanged waveguide lasers

Yb-diffused LiNbO/sub 3/ annealed/proton-exchanged waveguide lasers are demonstrated for the first time. Thermal diffusion of Yb into LiNbO/sub 3/ crystal is studied, and concentration profile of Yb is measured. A Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot waveguide laser of 3-cm length is fabricated and characterized. For optical pumping at 918-nm wavelength, stable continuous-wave laser oscillation is achieved at 1061 nm with a threshold power of 40 mW.