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Abstract

Harmonic lasers are provided. A third harmonic laser includes a first high reflector and an output coupler forming a resonator cavity having an optical axis. The resonator cavity includes a laser medium for producing a fundamental beam. Desirably, the laser medium is Nd:YAG, Nd:YLF, Nd:YV04, although other laser mediums are also contemplated such as Ti:sapphire, Nd:YAB and the like. The laser medium can be pumped by any desired source for example laser, laser diode, laser diode bar, fiber coupled laser diode bar or lamp which are well known in the art. The laser medium can be either end pumped or side pumped which are also well known. The first high reflector is reflective of a fundamental beam. A second harmonic generator is located within the cavity formed between the first high reflector and the output coupler for generating a second harmonic beam from the fundamental beam. The output coupler is highly transmissive for second harmonic beam and partially transmissive for a fundamental beam. The fundamental beam and the second harmonic beam exit the output coupler before incidenting on a harmonic generator. The third harmonic generator is positioned external to the resonator cavity and is located along the optical path from the output coupler so that the fundamental and the second harmonic beams incident on the third harmonic generator where portions of the second and the fundamental are converted to third harmonic beam.

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First Claim