MULTI-PASS SLAB AMPLIFIER WITH ZIG-ZAG PATHS

摘要

There is provided a method of using a slab laser gain medium. The method comprises transmitting a light beam through the slab laser gain medium (101)on a first trajectory (105b) using a first mirror(109), wherein the first trajectory comprises a zigzag trajectory. The method further comprises redirecting the light beam through the slab laser gain medium (101) on a second trajectory (105d) using the first mirror (109). The slab laser gain medium may be a so-called "Innoslab" and with the help of two mirrors (107,109) multiple passes (105b-d) through the slab laser gain medium (101) are realized. Using zig-zag paths through the slab instead of straight paths the amplification for every pass is increased and the pump energy is more efficiently used.