Abstract: In a laser device having a laser medium and a laser pumping device associated therewith the improvement including an apparatus for efficiently dissipating heat generated in the laser medium to maintain the laser medium at a more suitable operating temperature, the apparatus including an elongated closed ended heat pipe having a first portion in closely spaced proximity and in heat conductive relationship to the laser medium and a second remote end portion in heat conductive relationship to a heat sink, the heat pipe having an outer conductive layer with a coating of a fluid absorbing material positioned therein and forming a passage therethrough, and a heat transfer fluid positioned in the heat pipe and absorbed by the absorbent material, the absorbed fluid adjacent to the laser medium heating when exposed to the heat generated in the laser medium whereby the fluid moves through the heat pipe to a remote location for conduction of the heat therein into the heat sink.

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.

Abstract: A laser device having apparatus for increasing the pump energy from a laser diode array pump source that is available to be absorbed by the laser medium, the device also includes a heat sink apparatus having portions associated with the laser medium and with the pump source for dissipating the heat generated therein efficiently enough so that the device can be operated effectively even in a continuous wave mode.