Erbium-Doped Waveguide Laser in Tantalum Pentoxide

Tantalum pentoxide (Ta
₂
O
₅
) is a promising high index material for dense photonic circuits, with the incorporation of gain substantially increasing its potential functionality. Diode-pumped laser action is demonstrated in 2.3-cm-long Ta
₂
O
₅
rib waveguides doped with 2.7 10
²⁰
erbium ions/cm
³
, which were fabricated by magnetron sputtering on an oxidized silicon wafer. Lasing was observed at wavelengths between 1558 and 1562 nm with a launched diode pump power threshold of 14 mW.