Microchip Solid-State Lasers

Abstract

Recent developments in microchip solid-state lasers are introduced. A diode laser is used as an excitation source to pump a solid-state “chip” of approximately a few mm³ in size to convert the poor spatial and spectral mode output of the diode laser into a spectrally and spatially pure, low-noise beam. In addition, remarkable progress on pulsed operation, including Q-switching or mode-locking, and nonlinear wavelength conversion through the use of microchip laser is described. The feasibility of each compact optical device is briefly discussed.