Abstract: The invention is directed to the power control of a gas laser being moved by a prime mover along at least two different axes at various speeds to provide effectively constant output power to the workpiece surface. Signals from the prime mover axis representative of the speed of movement of each axis are separately rectified then summed and modulated with a positively offset triangular wave signal. The resulting output signal is a composite width modulated square wave pulse representative of the instantaneous laser output power required to maintain an effective constant power to the workpiece at various speeds and directions of movement of the laser.

Abstract: An optically pumped slab laser includes a solid-state lasing medium having a longitudinally extending lasing axis. A lamp is disposed proximate the lasing medium for emitting optical pumping radiation, and a reflector surrounds the lamp for directing the radiation at selected portions of the lasing medium. A fluid coolant is flowed across a major surface of the lasing medium to remove heat therefrom. The lasing medium exhibits a typical negative focal power lens effect distortion in portions proximate its lateral edges. The reflector is shaped to introduce a positive lens effect distortion, equal in magnitude to the negative lens effect distortion, to a central portion of the lasing medium between the lateral edge portions. External reflectors are positioned so as to direct a subsequently generated laser beam through alternate regions exhibiting the positive and negative focal power lens effect distortions, so that the beam subsequently exits the slab laser with no net distortion.