Abstract: An optically pumped solid-state laser includes a laser medium surrounded by a pumping radiation reflector having at least one opening for injecting into the pumping radiation reflector pumping radiation emitted by a pumping radiation source Disposed between the pumping radiation source and the laser medium is a beam guiding and/or beam shaping optical system that includes at least one optical element disposed inside the pumping radiation reflector in the beam path of the pumping radiation source, the optical element varying the power density distribution of at least a portion of the pumping radiation directed immediately onto the laser medium.