Abstract: A cone-based polarizer includes a beam splitter including a front side (FS) and a back side (BS) part for receiving a first and a second beam portion, respectively. The FS part includes two prisms including parallel first and second FS hypotenuses, and the BS part includes two prisms including parallel first and second BS hypotenuses. A first TIR cone is on top and a second TIR cone is on a bottom of the beam splitter. The first and second TIR cones are aligned to have an essentially common cone axis direction and are configured to add a structured polarization upon retroreflecting. The first and second FS hypotenuses have a FS TIR interface in-between and are angled at about 45 degrees relative to the cone axis direction. The first and second BS hypotenuses have a BS TIR interface in-between and are angled at about 90 degrees relative to the FS hypotenuses.

Abstract: A laser rod assembly includes a first and second laser rod embedded in a cladding material. The assembly has a first end and a second end. The laser rods generate laser light at ?laser (?laser light) when pumped by pump power at ?pump. A reflecting outer surface at ?pump is on or over a majority of an outer surface of the cladding material. Fold optic(s) on the second end provides optical coupling between the laser rods. An optical resonator includes a highly reflecting (HR) mirror at ?laser over an end of the first laser rod on the first end and an output coupler over an end of the second laser rod also on the first end.