Patent ID: 8270443

Claim:
A side-pumped, diode-pumped solid-state laser cavity comprising: at least one pump laser diode; a laser rod; a conductively cooled housing having an opening for pump radiation from the at least one pump laser diode, the conductively cooled housing including a first portion in which the laser rod is disposed, and a second portion in which the at least one pump laser diode is disposed; a solid-state, ceramic, heat conducting, diffuse reflector surrounding the laser rod; a pre-formed empty space between the laser rod and the at least one pump laser diode, the pre-formed empty space separating the first and second portions of the conductively cooled housing, and at least one machined air spacing extending from the pre-formed empty space into the first portion of the conductively cooled housing in which the laser rod is disposed, wherein at least the pre-formed empty space provides uniform temperature distribution around the laser rod.