The invention relates to an improved harmonic laser which provides an externally
generated harmonic beam. According to the invention, a third harmonic laser or
higher harmonic laser is provided. The laser includes a first reflector and a second
reflector for fundamental beam, forming a resonator cavity having an optical axis.
The resonator includes a laser medium for producing a fundamental beam. The first
reflector is highly reflective for fundamental beam. The second reflector is at
least partially reflective for fundamental beam. A second harmonic generator is
located within the resonator formed between the first high reflector and the second
reflector for generating a second harmonic beam from the fundamental beam. Preferably
the second harmonic generator is located so that the fundamental beam makes a first
and second pass through the second harmonic generator. The resonator produces two
output beams at least one of which is a harmonic beam. One or more output couplers
are provided to remove at least a portion of the output beams. A third harmonic
or higher generator is positioned external to the resonator cavity and is located
along the optical path from the output coupler, so that the output beams from the
resonator incidents on the third harmonic or higher generator where portions of
the output beams are converted to third harmonic or higher beam.