Patent ID: 6778563
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A microchip laser arrangement, comprisinga first chip of active material comprising erbium-doped glass, operative to emit radiation in a near infared spectral region when optically pumped, a second chip of optically bleachable solid material, which can be bleached by optical radiation in said near infrared spectral region, said second chip being bonded to said first chip to form a monolithic body, a pump diode laser operative to optically pump said active material, and a first and second mirror enclosing said first chip and second chip, in order to form a resonant laser cavity, wherein said optically bleachable material comprises a cobalt-doped crystal of spinel type, wherein the laser diode is arranged for longitudinal pumping of light into the active material, wherein the chip of optically bleachable material is positioned closer to the diode laser than the chip of active material, in order for light emitted by the diode to pass through the bleachable material before entering the active material, and wherein the thickness of the chip of optically bleachable material is at least 100 &mgr;m.