Optically anisotropic solid state laser pumped with perpendicularly polarized pump light

摘要

A laser system with a solid state laser medium, having a broad oscillation spectrum with improved absorption efficiency of the laser medium for excitation light, which includes: a resonator (5) ; a solid state laser medium (6), disposed in the resonator (5), having optical anisotropy; and an excitation unit (10) for inputting excitation light (Le) to the solid state laser medium (6). The oscillation light is linear polarization light polarized in the direction substantially parallel to a first crystal axis of the solid state laser medium (6), and the excitation unit (10) linearly polarizes the excitation light (Le), and inputs to the solid state laser medium (6), with the polarization direction of the excitation light (Le) in a direction crossing the first crystal axis. In the solid state laser medium (6), an absorption coefficient for the excitation light (Le) in the polarization direction thereof is greater than an absorption coefficient for the excitation light (Le) in the first axis direction.The solid state laser medium (6) is preferably a Yb: KYW or KGW, the host crystal having an optical anisothopy.