A solid-state laser beam amplifier with integrated reflective surface. A rectangular
slab gain medium receives a first portion of an input laser beam along a first
zigzag reflection path within the slab. The gain medium also receives a second
portion of the input laser beam that has been reflected from an integral reflective
surface such that the two portions traverse the gain medium along complementary
zigzag paths. The zigzag paths are defined by total internal reflection of the
beam portions as they propagate through the gain medium slab. A similar reflective
surface may be positioned relative to the exit end of the gain medium slab, which
redirects all of the output beam portions in a parallel direction. The gain medium
may be Ytterbium or neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet. The gain medium may
be formed as a high aspect ratio rectangular slab and may be clad with sapphire.
The reflective surfaces may function by total internal reflection or may employ
a reflective material, such as a dielectric coating. A section of undoped medium
may be applied to the entrance or exit end of the gain medium slab to control angles
of incidence and refraction.