High brightness laser oscillator with spherical aberration

摘要

A laser oscillator (10) including a reflective mirror (14) and an output coupler mirror (24). Two gain media (16, 22) are disposed between the reflective mirror (14) and the output coupler mirror (24) and each are pumped with energy to produce laser oscillation between the reflective mirror (14) and the output coupler mirror (24). Each of the two gain media (16, 22) has a focal strength during operation that is formed by thermal and mechanical stress. The laser oscillator (10) also includes a lens system (18) disposed between the two solid state gain media (16, 22) and has a focal strength about equal to or greater than a product of the focal strength of the two media (16, 22). A polarization rotator (20) is also included in the laser oscillator and is disposed between the two gain media (16, 22).