Patent ID: 6577666
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
Apparatus for pumping a laser active medium in a solid state body, comprising:a pump source for generating pumping radiation adapted to pass through the solid state body multiple times, optical imaging elements arranged between the pump source and the solid-state body, said imaging elements including a focusing element adapted to provide a first focused entry leg carrying pumping radiation towards the solid-state body, said first focused entry leg having a first cross sectional area within said solid-state body, and at least one optical refocusing element adapted to provide at least one additional focused entry leg by: reshaping an exit leg of the pumping radiation exiting the solid-state body into an intermediately collimated leg to facilitate subsequent refocusing thereof, and reshaping the intermediately collimated leg into an additional focused entry leg carrying pumping radiation towards the solid-state body for reentry into said body, said additional focused entry leg having a cross sectional area within said solid-state body which is approximately the same as said first cross sectional area, said first and additional focused entry legs facilitating optimization of the pumping radiation power density in said solid-state body.