Abstract: A device and a method for driving a transducer of an acoustooptical Q-switch. The device includes a signal processor that has an input. The signal processor is configured to output a sine wave to drive the transducer at a frequency selected to create a standing acoustic wave in the acoustooptical deflection material. The standing acoustic wave is configured to diffract an incident beam and has an amplitude based upon a signal at the input. A control wave generator is configured to generate a control signal at the input. The control signal is a function of a selected ratio relating an energy of the incident beam to an energy of a diffracted beam within the Acoustooptical Q-switch.

Abstract: A mount for suspending a laser medium has a cross section profile. The mount is configured to conduct heat away from the laser medium without imparting undue stress. The mount includes a laser host medium having a first cross section profile. A heat sink defines a bore. The bore has a second cross section profile configured to envelop the first cross section profile and further defines a generally uniform interspace between the first cross section profile and second first cross section profile. An amalgam of a mercury soluble metal is formed to substantially fill the interspace to support the laser host medium.

Abstract: A rugged resonator for a laser includes a laser pump housing. An X-fold resonator assembly is configured to receive and hold the laser pump housing. The resonator includes at least four mirrors, a first, a second, a third, and a fourth mirror. The first mirror is configured to receive a first incident laser beam from the first end and to reflect a first reflected beam to reflect as a third reflected beam from the third mirror. The second mirror is configured to receive a second incident laser beam from the second end and reflecting a second reflected beam to intersect the first reflected beam and to reflect as a fourth reflected beam from the fourth mirror. An optical coupler is affixed to an optics plate and configured to receive the third reflected beam. A high reflector is affixed to the optics plate and configured to receive the fourth reflected beam.