Solid-state laser device which is pumped by light output from laser diode

Abstract

The diameter of the spot of the light output from a laser diode is reduced through a coupled optical system so as to be smaller than the incidence aperture of a tapered total reflection rod. The light output from the coupling optics is focused into the incidence aperture of the total reflection rod. The total reflection rod is equipped with a smaller emission aperture than the diameter of the incidence aperture and further reduces the spot of the focused light. That is, the light passing through the total reflection rod is reduced to a smaller diameter while being totally reflected internally. A laser medium is in optical contact with the emission aperture of the total reflection rod and is pumped by the light which is output from the total reflection rod.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.