Highly efficient new pumping configuration for microchip solid state laser

We propose a new pumping scheme which allows 94% absorption efficiency in Yb:YAG 15 at.% with 200 /spl mu/m thickness with uniform pump distribution. This configuration can be scaled up and it is very attractive especially for high power quasi-4-levels lasers where the reabsorption losses are important. First results, which was obtained by using three optical fiber delivery JOLD-100-CAXF-15A (JenaOptik) diode lasers 100 W output power, shows good agreement with the numerical model of absorbed power distribution and thermal field.