Laser diodes pumped solid body laser module

摘要

A compact diode pumped solid state slab laser gain module 20 is described. The laser gain module comprises a ceramic housing 22, a laser gain medium 24 disposed in the laser cavity 22, and an optical pumping source. The housing is preferably composed of alumina which provides thermal and structural stability at high temperatures to maintain beam alignment and eliminates parasitic oscillations. The laser gain medium is preferably a slab of crystalline Nd:YAG. Diode laser arrays 48, 50 are provided to pump at least one side face 30, 32 of the laser gain medium. Each diode laser array 48, 50 is mounted to a manifold 40, 42 preferably formed of a plastic, non-contaminating material. The laser gain module comprises a simplified cooling distribution for cooling the laser gain medium to produce a substantially uniform temperature distribution between its top and bottom faces, and for cooling the diode laser arrays. The side faces 30, 32 are cooled by passing a coolant through flow channels 62, 64 defined between the laser gain medium and windows 50, 60 comprised of sapphire fritted to the housing.