Patent ID: 7428257
Filing Date: 2008-09-23
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for optically pumping a laser-active solid body with pumping light coupled into the solid body through an end surface of the solid body, the apparatus comprising: a laser-active solid body including an end surface through which pumping light is coupled into the solid body and a lateral surface through which pumping light exits the solid body; a reflector surrounding the laser-active solid body at a distance from the lateral surface of the solid body for reflecting light that exits the solid body back towards the solid body, thereby forming an annular gap between the solid body and the reflector; and a surface for diffusively scattering and spatially homogenizing light that is coupled into the solid body through the end surface of the solid body and that exits the solid body through the lateral surface, wherein the surface is selected from the group consisting of the lateral surface and a surface of the reflector; wherein the surface for diffusing light is the lateral surface and the reflector has a surface that diffusely reflects the exiting pumping light.