New diode-laser wavelengths for pumping solid-state lasers

Summary form only given. High power diode lasers in several semiconductor material systems are becoming increasingly attractive as pump sources for high-average power solid-state lasers. Due to the continuing improvements in performance of diode lasers that operate over a wider range of wavelengths, it is now possible to diode pump an expanding group of solid-state laser materials with operating wavelengths that span from the visible to well into the eye-safe region of the spectrum, opening new applications in areas such as remote sensing, biotechnology, and laser machining. The authors report on the progress and salient technical issues related to the fabrication and operation of high average power diode laser pump arrays for solid-state lasers