Semiconductor laser light source and solid-state laser apparatus

摘要

A semiconductor laser light source includes: a semiconductor laser array which emits laser beams whose polarization planes are parallel to each other and whose divergent angles theta z and theta x in two orthogonal directions satisfy an inequality theta z> theta x; a cylindrical lens which converges the laser beams emitted from the semiconductor laser array in a direction that decreases the divergent angle theta z; a wave plate which controls the direction of polarization so that the polarization planes of the laser beams having passed through the cylindrical lens are at 90 degrees to each other; a birefringent optical element which merges by the birefringent effect the optical paths of the laser beams having passed through the wave plate; and a light emitting surface which converges the laser beams merged by the birefringent optical element in a direction that decreases the divergent angle theta x. Thus, the efficiency of merging the laser beams and the efficiency of joining the laser beams to the succeeding optical system can be greatly improved.