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We have demonstrated an array of monolithic, single-frequency-distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR), waveguide lasers operating near 1536 nm wavelengths. The lasers were fabricated by forming waveguides in Yb/Er-codoped phosphate glass by ion exchange. The slope efficiency for each laser as a function of launched pump power is 26% and the thresholds occur at 50 mW of launched pump power. An output power of 80 mW was achieved with 350 mW of coupled pump power. Each laser exhibits stable operation on a single longitudinal mode and all have linewidths less than 500 kHz. A comb of waveguides with varying effective indices allows the selection of wavelength using a single-period grating.

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We investigated an Er(3+)/Yb(3+) codoped silicate glass as a host material for waveguide lasers operating near 1.5 microm. Spectroscopic properties of the glass are reported. Waveguide lasers were fabricated by K(+)-ion exchange from a nitrate melt. The waveguides support a single transverse mode at 1.5 microm. An investigation of the laser performance as a function of the Yb:Er ratio was performed, indicating an optimal ratio of approximately 5:1. Slope efficiencies of as great as 6.5% and output powers as high as 19.6 mW at 1.54 microm were realized. The experimental results are compared with a waveguide laser model that is used to extract the Er(3+) upconversion coefficients and the Yb(3+)-Er(3+) cross-relaxation coefficients. The results indicate the possibility of obtaining high-performance waveguide lasers from a durable silicate host glass.