Abstract

Microchip lasers are typically formed by applying dielectric mirrors directly to two near-parallel surfaces of a thin slice of laser gain material, creating a cavity on the edge of stability.¹ This cavity geometry is modified under diode-pumping by the heating of, and diffusion of heat from, the pumped region. This can combine with the gain profile to form a stable cavity producing a TEM₀₀ output.

© 1996 Optical Society of America