Efficient laser configuration

Compact solid state laser apparatus comprising:

• laser diode pumping means, having an electrical power supply, for producing and issuing a pump light beam of a predetermined output wavelength .lambda..sub.P, the laser diode pumping means including a heating module to thermally tune the output wavelength of the laser diode pumping means;
• beam forming optics means for receiving the pump light beam and for forming and issuing a reformed light beam having predetermined optical characteristics, the beam forming optics means including a heating module and a region of meltable and solidifiable material in contact with the heating module to allow optical alignment of the beam forming optics means;
• laser gain means for receiving the reformed light beam and for producing and issuing a laser gain means output light beam of predetermined output wavelength .lambda..sub.L, the laser gain means including a solid state laser gain crystal, an optical resonator, a heating module and a region of meltable and solidifiable material in contact with the heating module to allow optical alignment of the laser gain means and to thermally tune the output wavelength of the laser gain crystal;
• photodetector means, electrically connected to the laser diode means, for receiving a predetermined small fraction of the laser gain means output light beam and for adjusting the electrical power supplied to the laser diode pumping means to suppress the appearance of undesirable oscillations in the laser gain means output light beam, the photodetector means including a heating module and a region of meltable and solidifiable material in contact with the heating module to allow optical alignment of the photodetector means;
• and
• an optical platform that is mechanically rigid, is thermally conductive, is electrically non-conductive and has low thermal expansion, the optical platform supporting the laser diode pumping means, the beam forming optics means, the laser gain means and the photodetector means.