Applications of microoptics in solid-state laser design

The integration of diode pump sources with a variety of solid-state laser designs has become a basic concern for a number of laser systems. In each case one must accommodate the geometric constraints of a particular laser design with the peculiar and often noncooperative properties of laser diode devices. To gain wide-spread application, a laser diode coupling approach should be simple to deploy, maximize overall device efficiency, and be cost effective. Currently most diode laser pumps interface with the solid-state laser through contact-coupling, fiber coupling, and microoptics or some linear combination of these elements. Microoptic coupling, though potentially the most useful technique, has not been generally applied due to the perception of its complex fabrication and mounting requirements. However with the proper investment in the process and device engineering, one can show that the benefits of microoptic coupling are significant and the costs manageable under most manufacturing environments. Our group has been concerned with the development of microoptics for several types of applications. These include diode bar coupling for CW and quasi-CW pumping of solid-state lasers and fiber coupling. In all cases we are using the high index material GaP as the lens material