Abstract

The total-internal-reflection, face-pumped solid-state laser (or, simply, the slab laser) has been under development for nearly two decades, since it was first demonstrated by Chernoch and Martin at General Electric.¹ Most, if not all, of the past slab laser development work has employed neodymium (Nd) as the active ion. The emphasis has been on optimizing beam quality in high-average-power operation, often in pump cavity configurations that sacrifice efficiency for pumping uniformity.

© 1991 Optical Society of America