Patent ID: 6157663
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A laser system comprising:a laser cavity having an optical axis passing through the laser cavity;a solid-state gain medium having a first transverse direction that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, the solid-state gain medium within the laser cavity and the optical axis passing through the solid-state gain medium; andat least one semiconductor laser having an output, the at least one semiconductor laser positioned to direct a beam of light through a pump surface of the gain medium to pump the gain medium, with the beam of light diverging at least in the first transverse dimension, the beam of light from the at least one semiconductor laser pumping a laser mode within the gain medium to produce solid-state laser output,the laser cavity defined so that the laser mode is spaced from the pump surface of the gain medium, andthe at least one semiconductor laser provided adjacent a face of the solid-state gain medium so that the beam of light output by the at least one semiconductor laser matches the laser mode.