A laser apparatus for producing a laser light beam can include a gain medium; a pump light source to provide a pump light beam to the gain medium; a first reflector disposed between the first gain medium and the first pump light source and spaced apart from a gain portion of the first gain medium; a second reflector; and an output coupler. The first reflector is substantially reflective to the laser light beam and substantially transmissive to the pump light beam. The first and second reflectors and the output coupler define a folded beam path having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the beam path extends from the first reflector to the second reflector through the gain medium and the second portion of the beam path extends from the first reflector to the output coupler through the gain medium. The first and second beam paths define, within the gain medium, a non-zero folding angle. Optionally, the laser apparatus can include a second pump light source that can pump the same, or a second, gain medium.