Abstract: A laser diode array, having one or a plurality of electrically mounted laser diode bars, in which current paths through the array are sufficiently parallel and close together to result in a substantial reduction of inductance. As a result, higher duty cycles at lower pulse widths are possible. In some embodiments, a heatsink is provided as part of an overall assembly. The heatsink may provide part or all of a return portion of the current path for the array. Alternatively, the heatsink may be insulated from the rest of the array. The array itself may be fabricated in any of a number of known manners.

Abstract: A support structure for the mounting of laser diode arrays, to facilitate the pumping of a suitably-shaped lasing medium, is constituted by a non-planar, preferably generally annularly-shaped, thermally conductive portion having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface being shaped to accommodate an appropriate number of laser diode arrays to pump the medium. The outer surface may have cooling fins provided on the outside to facilitate the removal of heat from the vicinity of the laser diode arrays. Axial or circumferential cooling passages may be provided to facilitate removal of heat from the vicinity of the lasing medium, as well as the arrays. The lasing medium also may be surrounded by a cooling tube through which coolant flows, to facilitate removal of heat from the vicinity of the lasing medium in particular.

Abstract: A lens support structure for supporting one or a plurality of optical elements, the structure including a base which may be a passive or an active optical element having one or more grooves formed therein. The structure is intended for use with a laser diode array, for collimating or focusing the emission of the laser diode bars in the array. To this end, the grooves in the base are formed precisely, in a predetermined relationship to the pitch of the grooves in the laser diode array, so that when the array and the lens support structure are matched, the light from the bars in the array reaches the optical elements disposed in the grooves in the lens support structure. The grooves may be formed along one axis, or along orthogonal axes. The optical elements in the grooves may be microlenses. Also, the base may have the grooves formed as slots extending completely through the base, support rails being formed unitarily with the base orthogonally to the slots.