Patent ID: 6130902
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A solid state amplification laser chip comprising:a solid state laser gain crystal; at least one pumping diode laser, a moveable etalon such that the thickness of said etalon changes along an optical transmission direction as said etalon is moved by a moving means; at least two thermoelectric coolers and at least two temperature sensors, a first thermoelectric cooler and a first temperature sensor both being in thermal contact with said gain crystal, a second thermoelectric cooler and a second temperature sensor both being in thermal contact with said pumping diode laser, an optical transmission thickness of said etalon being adjustable to select for a single wavelength single axial mode laser light, a temperature being controlled in said gain crystal to that temperature at which optimum lasing efficiency occurs for the selected wavelength, and a temperature of said pumping diode laser being controlled independently from the temperature of said gain crystal to that temperature at which optimum lasing efficiency occurs for a pumping laser wavelength; a single metal substrate to which said pumping diode laser, said gain crystal, said etalon, said first cooler and said second cooler are affixed, said diode laser being separated and thermally isolated from said gain crystal by a first trough in said substrate, said gain crystal being separated and thermally isolated from said etalon by a second trough in said substrate, said first trough and said second trough both being filled with a thermally insulative material, said substrate being cooled by a coolant that is circulated through said substrate, said laser gain crystal having an end face cross sectional area of at most 9 square mm.