Abstract: A system includes: a first nonlinear crystal arranged to receive to a first laser beam having a first wavelength ?1 and operable to generate, by frequency doubling of the first laser beam, a second laser beam having a second wavelength ?2, in which the second beam propagates collinearly with the first beam; a second nonlinear crystal arranged to receive the first and second laser beams from the first crystal, in which the second crystal is operable to generate, by frequency mixing of the first and second laser beams, a third laser beam having a third wavelength ?3; and one or more lenses between the first and second crystals, in which the one or more lenses are operable to spatially separate the first and second beams. The first and second laser beams propagate at an offset and/or titled with respect to an optical axis in order to cause the spatial separation.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically pumping a laser-active solid body with pumping light coupled into the solid body through an end surface of the solid body is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser-active solid body including an end surface though which pumping light is coupled into the solid body and a lateral surface through which pumping light exits the solid body, a reflector surrounding the laser-active solid body at a distance from the lateral surface of the solid body for reflecting light that exists the solid body back towards the solid body, and a surface for diffusing light that is coupled into the solid body through the end surface of the solid body and that exits the solid body through the lateral surface. The surface is selected from the group consisting of the lateral surface and a surface of the reflector.

Abstract: A system for prolonging the useful lifetime of an optical element upon which a laser is directed includes a holder adapted for mounting an optical element and a motor for rotating the holder upon which the optical element may be mounted such that when a laser beam impinges on the optical element, a point of impingement of the laser beam on the optical element is varied when the point of impingement of the laser beam on the optical element is radially separated from an axis of rotation of the optical element.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically pumping a laser-active solid body with pumping light coupled into the solid body through an end surface of the solid body is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser-active solid body including an end surface though which pumping light is coupled into the solid body and a lateral surface through which pumping light exits the solid body, a reflector surrounding the laser-active solid body at a distance from the lateral surface of the solid body for reflecting light that exists the solid body back towards the solid body, and a surface for diffusing light that is coupled into the solid body through the end surface of the solid body and that exits the solid body through the lateral surface. The surface is selected from the group consisting of the lateral surface and a surface of the reflector.

Abstract: A system for prolonging the useful lifetime of an optical element upon which a laser is directed includes a holder adapted for mounting an optical element and a motor for rotating the holder upon which the optical element may be mounted such that when a laser beam impinges on the optical element, a point of impingement of the laser beam on the optical element is varied when the point of impingement of the laser beam on the optical element is radially separated from an axis of rotation of the optical element.