Patent ID: 6061378
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A multi-cavity, solid-state laser system for producing a plurality of output laser beams, comprising:a plurality of optical energy sources each producing input optical energy, each of said plurality of optical energy sources being spaced from an adjacent one of said plurality of optical energy sources by a predetermined distance and producing said input optical energy substantially along a line;a solid-state laser medium receiving said input optical energy, said laser medium having first and second side surfaces substantially opposing each other and first and second end surfaces substantially opposing each other, said input optical energy entering said laser medium through said first side surface and being substantially absorbed in said laser medium, said predetermined distance between adjacent ones of said plurality of optical energy sources causing individual high-gain regions in said laser medium, each of said high-gain regions being associated with a corresponding one of said plurality of optical energy sources; andresonating means associated with each of said plurality of optical energy sources for producing laser resonation through said first and second end surfaces of said laser medium in said respective high-gain region, said resonating means including a pair of opposing reflective surfaces positioned with said laser medium therebetween, each of said resonating means being substantially aligned with said line of said associated one of said plurality of optical energy sources and producing one of said plurality of output laser beams.