Pumping configuration without focusing lenses for a small-sized diode-pumped Nd:YAG slab laser

We propose an end-pumping method for a small-sized diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser. The miniature Nd:YAG slab is directly coupled to the pump diode without focusing lenses. With the use of total reflection on the slab surfaces, the pump light is confined to the laser mode volume. With a diode-laser power of 890 mW, a TEM(00) output power of 210 mW is obtained.