Abstract: A resonator for a laser includes a first resonator wall and a second resonator wall with a lasing medium disposed in a gap therebetween. The resonator further includes a first mirror disposed at a first end of the first and second resonator walls and a second mirror disposed at a second end of the first and second resonator walls. The mirrors cooperate to form an intra-cavity laser beam that travels along a plurality of paths through the lasing medium. Furthermore, the first mirror and the second mirror form a laser resonator for a parasitic laser mode. A parasitic mode suppressor is located within the superfluous region.

Abstract: The resonator includes a lasing medium having a thickness, a first mirror disposed at a first end of the lasing medium and a second mirror disposed at a second end of the lasing medium. The first and second mirror cooperate to fold an intra-cavity laser beam along a plurality of paths through the lasing medium, thereby defining a boundary of a superfluous region within the resonator, wherein the intra-cavity laser beam does not pass through the superfluous region. The first mirror and the second mirror form a laser resonator for a parasitic laser mode, a portion of which is located within the superfluous region. A parasitic mode suppressor is located within the superfluous region of the resonator.

Abstract: The laser resonator includes a first resonator wall, a second resonator wall that is substantially parallel to the first resonator wall and is separated from the first resonator wall in a first transverse direction thereby defining a gap having a gap width between the first and second resonator walls, and at least two laser cavity mirrors. The laser cavity mirrors are arranged to allow an intra-cavity laser beam to reflect from the output coupling mirror thereby forming a first beam spot on the output coupling mirror. The first curved mirror has a radius of curvature such that the reflection of the intra-cavity laser beam from the first curved mirror causes the first beam spot on the output coupling mirror to have a substantially symmetric shape.

Abstract: The laser resonator includes a first resonator wall, a second resonator wall that is substantially parallel to the first resonator wall and is separated from the first resonator wall in a first transverse direction thereby defining a gap having a gap width between the first and second resonator walls, and at least two laser cavity mirrors. The laser cavity mirrors are arranged to allow an intra-cavity laser beam to reflect from the output coupling mirror thereby forming a first beam spot on the output coupling mirror. The first curved mirror has a radius of curvature such that the reflection of the intra-cavity laser beam from the first curved mirror causes the first beam spot on the output coupling mirror to have a substantially symmetric shape.

Abstract: The resonator includes a lasing medium having a thickness, a first mirror disposed at a first end of the lasing medium and a second mirror disposed at a second end of the lasing medium. the first and second mirror cooperate to fold an intra-cavity laser beam along a plurality of paths through the lasing medium, thereby defining a boundary of a superfluous region within the resonator, wherein the intra-cavity laser beam does not pass through the superfluous region. The first mirror and the second mirror form a laser resonator for a parasitic laser mode, a portion of which is located within the superfluous region. A parasitic mode suppressor is located within the superfluous region of the resonator.

Abstract: A solid-state laser having a rod of active material optically pumped along the side of the rod by an array of diode lasers. Beam shaping elements, such as Brewster angle facets on the end of the laser rod, cause the laser beam to assume a generally elliptical shape within the rod with the long axis of the ellipse aligned with the irradiation angle of the diode lasers. However, the beam is circularly shaped outside the rod. Preferably, the laser rod is held within an optical cavity formed within a cooling block which both cools the rod and reflects pump light back into the rod. The diode lasers irradiate the rod through a linear slit in the cooling block. Also, preferably, a slab-shaped optical waveguide is placed within the slit to guide the light from the diode lasers to the side of the laser rod.