Laser diode pumped nd:yag laser and method of making same

Abstract

A laser device having a support structure of unitary form including having connected first and second portions, the first of which extends outwardly from the connection portion to a free end which is defined by a groove and spaced surfaces on opposite sides thereof. A crystal gain medium is positioned in the groove and diode laser pump sources are located on opposite sides of the groove on the spaced surfaces and are constructed of heat sink members attached to the surfaces and a plurality of laser diodes mounted on selected ones of the heat sinks in positions to optically couple the laser diode outputs to the crystal gain medium rod. The laser diodes are formed by sheet segments constructed of materials having first and second semi-conductor characteristics forming a junction therebetween including a plurality of closely spaced elongated stripes, whereby when an electric potential of sufficient voltage is applied across the junctions the area under the stripes will take on a lasing condition the outputs of which will be coupled to the crystal gain medium to produce a lasing condition therein. The support structure also has means for mounting an output mirror and the invention further resides in the novel construction of a mask which can be segmented for constructing a plurality of diode laser segments.