Abstract: The present invention encompasses an apparatus for pumping a vibronic laser, which comprises: a transition-metal ion-containing solid state vibronic laser gain medium; a means for exciting said laser medium to emit coherent radiation said exciting means being a pumping source comprising at least one laser diode operating at a wavelength shorter than 750 nm; and an optical resonator means for generating and controlling said coherent radiation. The present invention also encompasses a method of pumping a vibronic laser comprising the steps of: generating a laser diode pumping beam at a wavelength shorter than 750 nm; exciting a transition-metal ion-containing solid state vibronic laser gain medium by impinging said laser diode pumping beam on said transition-metal ion-containing solid state laser gain medium, so as to excite the laser medium; and an optical resonator to emit coherent radiation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for laser lithotripsy by subjecting calcified matter in the mammalian body, especially the human body, to two spatially and temporally overlapping pulsed laser light beams in the 300-450 and 600-900 nanometer wavelength range.

Abstract: A single crystal of rare-earth-doped lanthanum beryllate, whose crystal orientation is suitably chosen, provides a laser medium whose index of refraction is substantially independent of temperature. A laser using such a crystal as the laser medium displays little or no thermal lensing, thus permitting high power operation without wavefront distortion.