Laser oscillation from Ho3+ and Nd3+ ions in epitaxially grown thin aluminum garnet films

Abstract
Pulsed and continuous laser operation of the Ho3+ 5I75I8 transition at 2.1 μm has been obtained at 77°K by using Y1.25Ho0.1Er0.55Tm0.5Yb0.6 Al5O12 thin films grown on Y3Al5O12 substrates. Oscillation at the 1.06‐μm 4F3/24I11/2 transition of Nd3+ has also been observed at 77 and 300°K from Y3Al5O12:Nd3+ films. The characteristics of these thin‐film waveguide lasers are discussed.