Multiple-Pump Lasers

A conceptually simple, effective scheme for reliable, high-power pumping of neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers (and perhaps also other solid-state lasers) has been devised. Heretofore, it has been common practice to pump a Nd:YAG crystal by use of a single diode laser. However, diode lasers are not reliable enough to support long-life, high-power operation. If multiple diode lasers could be used to pump a single Nd:YAG crystal, then laser operation would be less degraded by the deterioration or failure of a single diode laser.