Laser structures

Claim 1

A unitary laser structure comprising a relatively thin, elongated core formed of a solid transparent active laser material and a cladding of solid light-transmitting material disposed in surrounding contacting relation to the side wall portions of said core throughout substantially the entire length thereof, said laser material having a predetermined refractive index value and said cladding material having a refractive index value which is of very nearly the same value as that of said laser material, said cladding material having a plurality of similar elongated cylindrical chambers formed therein in like closely adjacent but spaced relation to said core in which a gas be placed to form flashtubes to supply optical pumping energy, and each chamber being arranged to extend in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said core throughout the length of said cladding, said plurality of chambers being equally peripherally spaced from one another about said central core, so as to effect a symmetrical arrangement relative to said core, longitudinal recesses being formed in said cladding material intermediate adjacent chambers and Extending throughout the length of said cladding material, said recesses being of sufficient depth to form obstructions to prevent the transmission of any substantial amount of pumping optical energy from one chamber to another whereby distortions of said laser structure due to uneven thermal expansion or the like during laser operation will be avoided, and a highly reflective layer of material disposed upon and surrounding the outer surface of said cladding material throughout the greater part of the length thereof.