Diode pumped slab module

A slab module for a face-pumped laser comprising:

• a one-piece box frame having a top wall spaced parallel from a bottom wall, and first and second opposite end walls integrally joined to respective ones of said top and bottom walls to define a central slab chamber extending longitudinally between said first and second end walls;
• said first and second end walls having respective first and second central access holes for receiving opposite ends of a laser slab positionable within said slad chamber;
• said frame further including first and second elongate side pockets disposed in parallel between said top and bottom walls on opposite sides thereof and extending longitudinally between said first and second end walls, said first and second pockets extending laterally into said frame for joining said slab chamber and forming a through passage extending laterally through said frame;
• said first and second pockets being configured for respectively receiving first and second laser pumping modules adjacent to said slab chamber for pumping said laser slab;
• first and second end caps fixedly joined to said first and second end walls respectively;
• said first and second end caps having respective first and second central support holes coaxially aligned with said first and second access holes for receiving and supporting said opposite ends of said laser slab;
• and
• a plurality of alignment tabs disposed between said first end wall and said first end cap and between said second end wall and said second end cap for providing self-alignment between said first access hole and said first support hole, and between said second access hole and said second support hole.