Characterization of optical waveguides in YbVO 4 crystals formed by 3.0 MeV oxygen ion implantation

We report optical planar waveguide formation in vanadate laser crystals YbVO4 by oxygen ion implantation at an energy of 3.0 MeV and doses from 5×1013 to 2×1015 ions/cm2 at room temperature. Positive changes of the ordinary refractive indices occur in the implanted regions, which define a waveguide structure in the near surface. The relationship between refractive index changes and doses is presented. Waveguide modes were measured at wavelengths of 633 and 1539 nm, respectively. The magnified field pattern of the propagation light in the annealed waveguide was captured and studied by an end-coupling method. The refractive index profiles were reconstructed by the reflectivity calculation method.