A laser comprising: a ceramic body defining a chamber containing a laser gas, the chamber comprising a first slab waveguide section extending along a first axis, a second slab waveguide section extending along a second axis, and third slab waveguide section extending along a third axis, wherein the first and second axes are parallel to one another, the third axis is perpendicular to both the first and second axes, and respective first ends of the first and second slab waveguide sections are positioned adjacent opposite ends of the third slab waveguide section, wherein the first, second, and third slab waveguide sections each have a height extending perpendicular to a plane defined by the first, second, and third axes, the first slab waveguide section has a first width extending perpendicular to the first axis and to the height of the first slab waveguide section, the second slab waveguide section has a second width extending perpendicular to the second axis and to the height of the second slab waveguide section, and the third slab waveguide section has a third width extending perpendicular to the third axis and to the height of the third slab waveguide section, and wherein the first, second, and third widths are each larger than the height; a first end mirror positioned at a second end of the first slab waveguide section that is opposite the first end of the first slab waveguide section; a second end mirror positioned at a second end of the second slab waveguide section that is opposite the first end of the second slab waveguide section; a first fold mirror positioned near an intersection of the first and third axes at a 45-degree angle to both the first and third axes; and a second fold mirror positioned near an intersection of the second and third axes at a 45-degree angle to both the second and third axes; wherein the first, second, and third slab waveguide sections are configured to waveguide recirculating light that is polarized orthogonal to a plane defined by the first, second, and third axes. a ceramic body defining a chamber containing a laser gas, the chamber comprising a first slab waveguide section extending along a first axis, a second slab waveguide section extending along a second axis, and third slab waveguide section extending along a third axis, wherein the first and second axes are parallel to one another, the third axis is perpendicular to both the first and second axes, and respective first ends of the first and second slab waveguide sections are positioned adjacent opposite ends of the third slab waveguide section, wherein the first, second, and third slab waveguide sections each have a height extending perpendicular to a plane defined by the first, second, and third axes, the first slab waveguide section has a first width extending perpendicular to the first axis and to the height of the first slab waveguide section, the second slab waveguide section has a second width extending perpendicular to the second axis and to the height of the second slab waveguide section, and the third slab waveguide section has a third width extending perpendicular to the third axis and to the height of the third slab waveguide section, and wherein the first, second, and third widths are each larger than the height; a first end mirror positioned at a second end of the first slab waveguide section that is opposite the first end of the first slab waveguide section; a second end mirror positioned at a second end of the second slab waveguide section that is opposite the first end of the second slab waveguide section; a first fold mirror positioned near an intersection of the first and third axes at a 45-degree angle to both the first and third axes; and a second fold mirror positioned near an intersection of the second and third axes at a 45-degree angle to both the second and third axes; wherein the first, second, and third slab waveguide sections are configured to waveguide recirculating light that is polarized orthogonal to a plane defined by the first, second, and third axes.