Abstract

Solid state lasers, because of their high power output per unit volume and inherently rugged nature have always been desirable for a number of uses outside of the laboratory. The Nd:YAG laser, pumped by cw arc lamps or pulsed flashlamps, has for a number of years been the most widely employed solid state system and has found wide use in scientific, industrial and military applications. With the development of new laser crystals, high-power semiconductor lasers and new or improved nonlinear materials the lamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser is becoming just one of many useful solid state systems. We consider several examples of the newest types of solid state laser systems, some of which combine a variety of new or improved technologies.

© 1997 Optical Society of America