A high power Nd:YLF solid state laser is constructed by placing a plurality of Nd:YLF solid state rods (11, 12) in series within a laser resonator. Each rod (11, 12) is mounted in a pumping chamber for providing laser action. A spherical lens (13) may be incorporated within the resonator as required for establishing with the resonator mirrors (14, 15) a large intra-cavity beam diameter. A cylindrical lens is provided within the resonator as a separate element or combined with the spherical lens (13) to compensate for astigmatism in the thermal focusing of Nd:YLF rods. Alternatively, the rods may be used in pairs with a half-wave plate between them to provide for compensation of astigmatism. A laser capable of high TEM00 mode output power may be achieved by these arrangements.
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