Abstract: A composite laser diode enclosure, and a method of making the same, having a first enclosure sealed within a second enclosure. Each enclosure having a thermally conductive base plate, a side wall band attached to the base plate, and a lid attached to the side wall band to hermetically seal each enclosure. The materials forming the side wall band and lids are selected so that high quality metallurgical bonds are formed between the base plates and the side wall bands, and between the side wall bands and the lids. The first enclosure contains a laser diode, coupling optics, and input ends of optical fibers for delivering the laser diode output out of the enclosures. The second enclosure contains the first enclosure, TE coolers, thermistors, and a PC board with an optical detector, E-prom, interlock circuit and voltage protection circuit. Thermistors monitor the temperature of each enclosure.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a conduction cooled ion laser capable of producing higher output power. The device includes an insulated tube and a plurality of heat conducting members mounted in thermal contact with the wall of the tube. Primary and secondary ring gas barriers or shields project axially from the heat conducting members with the primary shield being located radially inward with respect to the secondary shield. The shields are mounted such that they axially overlap to define a reentrant configuration. The reentrant configuration allows for the operation of the laser at a higher power with the same voltage safety margin above the instability voltage.