Abstract: A compound planar waveguide comprising multiple confinement structures that provides independent containment of pump and laser radiation. The waveguide may be formed of multiple layers of laser-active and laser-inactive materials to provide step changes in refractive index. The planar waveguide may include a central laserable core layer substantially sandwiched by at least two non-laserable cladding layers to provide an interface between the inner surfaces of the cladding layers and the gain medium core to define a first waveguide by virtue of an index of refraction discontinuity for containing developed laser radiation, and wherein the outer surfaces of the cladding layers define a second waveguide by virtue of an index of refraction discontinuity for containing pump radiation within the waveguide. The second waveguide may be also defined by an interface formed between the cladding layers and additional non-laserable external layers which sandwich the cladding layers.

Abstract: A system for improving the thermal uniformity, beam quality and lasing efficiency of composite solid state lasers by reducing parasitic oscillations and confining the laserable medium to a location in the composite laser component where it is most efficient is provided. The improvements are accomplished by bonding one or more laser-inactive or laser-radiation-absorbing layers to a laserable medium.