Patent ID: 7724797
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. An optically pumped solid-state microchip laser array for providing a frequency doubled visible output, the microchip laser array comprising: two mirrors, defined by coated surfaces, the mirrors being spaced apart from one another to define ends of a laser cavity; a pump laser array providing pump energy; a solid-state gain element pumped by the pump laser array and disposed between the two mirrors; and a bulk, periodically poled nonlinear crystal disposed between the two mirrors to provide nonlinear doubling of the fundamental laser frequency, the crystal having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to about 1 mm and comprising material selected from the group consisting of: LiNbO wherein the gain element and the nonlinear crystal are in the form of a microchip monolithic assembly fabricated by bonding them together, wherein the solid state gain element comprises a crystal having a gain along one of its crystalline axes that is larger than its gain along its other crystalline axes, and wherein one of the two mirrors is a cavity front mirror disposed on an input face of the gain element and is coated onto the input face of the gain element to provide high reflection at the second harmonic frequency to thereby collect an array of backward-generated second harmonic beams.