SCALABLE VERTICALLY DIODE-PUMPED SOLID-STATE LASERS

摘要

A method and apparatus pump a laser gain medium of a laser rod having a first longidunal axis. At least one pump light source (42) emits pump light to the laser rod (12), and the pump light source has a second longitudinal axis (46) which is perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis (14). Radiation from various laser diode arrays is collimated and uniquely arranged in a vertical orientation in relation to the laser gain medium. Reflectors (38) focus the collimated radiation from the diode arrays onto the laser gain medium to achieve fundamental mode operation or Transverse Electromagnetic mode (TEM00 mode) operation. Both laser gain medium and reflectors may be simultaneously cooled with appropriate fluids in the apparatus. The assembly of the apparatus may be extended to hold a plurality of vertically oriented laser diode arrays to increase the laser pump power.