Abstract: A laser apparatus is described having multiple modes of operation using intracavity optical switching within a laser resonator. The laser resonator has a solid state gain medium and one or more optical switches located between a pair of end reflectors. The pump for the gain medium has controlled duration to allow varying the pumping energy and pulse repetition rate. The laser has a Q-switched mode for generating energy from the laser resonator at a fixed level of outcoupling when the laser pump is operated to produce a range of predetermined pulse, rates and durations. The laser also has a cavity dumped mode of operation in which the laser pump is operated to produce a second range of predetermined higher pulse repetition rates and shorter pulse durations so that the pulse energy, rate and duration are selected by first Q-switching with essentially no outcoupling and then rapidly cavity dumping all the optical energy in the resonator.

Abstract: A microlaser is provided that has a microresonator and a pump source for side pumping the microresonator. The microresonator includes an active gain medium and a Q-switch that extend lengthwise between the opposed end faces of the microresonator. The pump source is therefore positioned so as to introduce pump signals into the microresonator via the side surface that is adjacent to and defined by the active gain medium. By side pumping the microresonator, the microlaser can generate a series of pulses having greater pulse energies and greater average power levels than the pulses provided by conventional microlasers. In addition, the side pumped microlaser can also generate pulses having greater pulse widths than the pulses provided by conventional microlasers of a similar size.