Patent ID: 6101208
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
Apparatus for pumping a cylindrical laser rod having a circular cross section of constant diameter along a centrally extending rod axis comprising: four banks of laser diodes, positioned in a first diode pumping head, facing said laser rod and arranged along lines extending parallel to said axis, each said bank comprising a multiplicity of laser diodes, said banks of laser diodes being symmetrically positioned about said laser rod at mutually orthogonal angles and at a radial distance such that said laser diodes generate overlapping illumination patterns for side pumping said laser rod, said banks each having a length extending along a first portion of the length of said laser rod and supported in said head with their pumping axes directed toward said laser rod axis;a second diode pumping head having a second four banks of laser diodes facing said laser rod and arranged along lines extending parallel to said axis, each said bank comprising a multiplicity of laser diodes, said banks of laser diodes being symmetrically positioned about said laser rod at mutually orthogonal angles and at a radial distance such that said laser diodes of said second banks generate overlapping illumination patterns for side pumping said laser rod, said banks in said second pumping head having a length extending along a second portion of the length of said laser rod and supported in said second head with their pumping axes directed toward said laser rod axis, said banks in said second head being located in positions that are angularly offset from the positions of the diode banks of said first head; and,a power supply for said laser diodes.