Abstract: An efficient continuous wave solid state laser is described. An array of semiconductor diode lasers is employed to generate a pump light source at an absorption wavelength for a solid state laser such as Nd:YAG laser. The array of diode lasers is pulsed at a high repetition rate to produce narrow light pulses which are directed upon an end surface of the solid state laser rod. The pump pulses rate is selected sufficiently high to establish CW operation of the solid state laser while the duty cycle for the pump-light source is sufficiently low to avoid excessive junction heating of the diode lasers, which would substantially reduce their output power.