External-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers)
including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a
surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are
disclosed. The gain-structure is pumped by light from diode-lasers. The
OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts
(2.0 W) or greater. Intracavity frequency-converted arrangements of the
OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred
milliwatts (100 mW) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet
region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be
provided even in single axial-mode operation. Particular features of the
OPS-lasers include a heat sink-assembly for cooling the OPS-structure, a
folded resonator concept for providing optimum beam size at
optically-nonlinear crystals used for frequency conversion, preferred
selection of optically-nonlinear materials for frequency-conversion, and
compound resonator designs for amplifying second harmonic-radiation for
subsequent conversion to third or fourth harmonic radiation.