Solid laser laterally pumped with focussed light from diodes in multiple flows

A solid-state laser or laser amplifier comprising:

• a laser gain material for emitting a laser beam along an axis,
• at least one pump light source for pumping the laser gain material with a pump beam that enters the laser gain material through an entry surface area along an axis at least approximately perpendicular to the axis of the laser beam, and
• optical elements for focussing the pump beam in said laser material,
• wherein the laser gain material has an entry surface area and at least one interface opposite the entry surface area, said interface being configured such that said pump beam is reflected by said interface to again pass through said laser gain material.

A solid-state laser or laser amplifier comprising:

• a laser material having an entry surface area and at least one interface opposite the entry surface area,
• at least one pump light source for pumping the laser material with a pump beam through said entry surface area along an axis at least approximately perpendicularly to the axis of a laser beam substantially absorbed in the laser material,
• optical elements for focussing the pump beam in said laser material, and
• an external reflector following said opposite interface for receiving said pump beam and reflecting said pump beam back into said laser material, whereby the pump beam again passes through the laser material.