The diversity and proliferation of 'real-world' laser applications continues to put increasing demand on laser technology. New system constraints, often dictated by the operation environment, stretch the capabilities of conventional laboratory lasers. As the applications proliferate, so too do the users. Today's laser user is often not a laser engineer, but rather views the laser simply as a tool to help him perform his job. For lasers to reach their true market potential, laser designers must respond to these user-mandated requirements with simple, compact, rugged devices. Traditional commercial lasers are far too large, bulky and complex for many of these new applications. Design techniques for shrinking, simplifying the ruggedizing solid-state lasers for today's applications will be discussed.

Date Published: 17 April 1995
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 2380, UV and Visible Lasers and Laser Crystal Growth, (17 April 1995);

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2380:
UV and Visible Lasers and Laser Crystal Growth
Richard Scheps; Milan R. Kokta, Editor(s)