Patent ID: 6026109
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A solid-state laser system for producing a high-power laser beam, comprising:a solid-state laser medium having a central axis, first and second end surfaces, and a cylindrical outer surface between said end surfaces;a plurality of optical energy sources producing optical energy to be absorbed in said laser medium, each of said plurality of optical energy sources being disposed to emit said optical energy into said cylindrical outer surface and being spaced at an angle relative to said central axis from an adjacent one of said plurality of optical energy sources;resonating means substantially optically aligned with said central axis for producing laser resonation of energy produced by said laser medium through said first and second end surfaces of said laser medium, said resonating means including a pair of opposing reflective surfaces positioned with said laser medium therebetween, one of said opposing reflective surfaces being an output coupling mirror for reflecting a portion of said energy produced by said laser medium to provide said laser resonation and for transmitting said high-power laser beam;an optics bench for mounting said laser medium and said plurality of optical energy sources; anda cylindrical housing having a diameter of less than about 2.0 inches, said cylindrical housing including means for mechanically coupling said optics bench assembly to said housing near a first end of said housing, said cylindrical housing including said output coupling mirror at a second end.