Hybrid resonator and amplifier combination for generating high energy output signal

A method of generating a high energy output signal with a hybrid resonator and amplifier combination, the method comprising:

• splitting a pump laser beam, via a beam splitter, into a first portion pump laser beam and a second portion pump laser beam;
• propagating the second portion pump laser beam to a resonator having at least one crystal, and the resonator having a Fresnel number less then 1 to generate diffraction limited output and operating in a single transverse mode to generate, from the second portion pump laser beam, both a signal wavelength beam and an idler wavelength beam, and allows a first portion signal wavelength beam, via an output coupler of the resonator, to pass therethrough while retaining a second portion signal wavelength beam within the resonator;
• receiving and directing, via a system dichroic mirror, both the first portion pump laser beam and the first portion signal wavelength beam toward an amplifier;
• arranging at least one crystal in the amplifier for receiving both the first portion pump laser beam and the first portion signal wavelength beam;
• passing the first portion pump laser beam through the amplifier to create gain within the amplifier;
• and
• amplifying the first portion signal wavelength beam, with the gain created in the amplifier from the first portion pump laser beam, to generate the high energy, diffraction limited output signal.

A hybrid resonator and amplifier combination for generating a high energy output signal, the hybrid resonator and amplifier combination comprising:

• a beam splitter for splitting a pump laser beam into a first portion pump laser beam and a second portion pump laser beam;
• the second portion pump laser beam being propagated to a resonator having at least one crystal, and the resonator having a Fresnel number less than 1 to generate diffraction limited output and operating in a single transverse mode for generating, from the second portion pump laser beam, both a signal wavelength beam and an idler wavelength beam, and the resonator having an output coupler which allows a first portion signal wavelength beam to pass therethrough while retaining a second portion signal wavelength beam within the resonator;
• wherein resonator includes crystals located between the system dichroic mirror and the output coupler,
• the system dichroic mirror is arranged at a 45 degree angle with respect to the concentrated second portion of the pump laser beam;
• the output coupler reflects the second portion of the signal wavelength beam back through the crystals and toward the system dichroic mirror for reflection;
• and
• the first highly reflective resonator mirror reflects substantially all of the second portion of the signal wavelength beam back toward the system dichroic mirror for again passing through the crystals;
• and
• the amplifier, having at least one crystal, being arranged for receiving both the first portion pump laser beam and the first portion signal wavelength beam, and the first portion pump laser beam, upon passing through the amplifier, creating gain within the amplifier, and the amplifier amplifying the first portion signal wavelength beam, with the gain created from the first portion pump laser beam, to generate a high energy, diffraction limited output signal.