A diode-pumped microlaser in accordance with the present invention includes a
diode
pump, a first lens, a second lens and a laser glass. The diode pump generates an
input pump beam. The first lens and second lens manipulate the pump beam by collimating
the pump beam in focal planes that are perpendicular to each other. The laser glass
receives the manipulated pump beam from the second lens and converts the pump beam
into a laser beam. The laser glass is further doped with predetermined amounts
by weight of Erbium and Ytterbium to ensure that an output laser beam with an eyesafe
wavelength is generated. The microlaser further includes a passive Q-switch made
of a Cobalt-spinel material, which receives the output laser beam and generates
laser pulses using passive switching techniques, independent of any external temperature
control. This configuration allows the microlaser to function as a laser rangefinder
over extended temperature ranges in a manner that is eyesafe to the user.
