Design of high-efficiency semiconductor disk lasers

The design of optically pumped semiconductor disk lasers is discussed with emphasis on the optimization for high power conversion e_ciencies. Main topics are the compensation of strain in the epitaxial layer sequence, the realization of a low-absorption Bragg reector which has a high reectivity for pump and laser wavelength and a low thermal resistance, and the e_ect of a surface coating reducing optical losses inside the semiconductor disk. As an alternative concept, quantum-well pumping may be more e_cient because of the reduced quantum defect. E_cient intra-cavity second-harmonic generation can be obtain in folded cavity setups.