A method for producing low-noise laser output at wavelengths ranging from
IR through visible to UV in various operation modes from a monolithic
microchip laser comprises schemes of (1) generating one or two
fundamental beam(s) from light source(s) selected upon the desired
wavelength(s), polarization(s), and other features related to the desired
laser output; (2) intracavity beam combination/separation due to the
walk-off effect in one or more birefringent crystal(s) transparent to the
propagating lights and highly anisotropic; (3) wavelength conversion in
one or more nonlinear optical crystal(s); (4) compact and efficient pump
source(s); and (5) minimization of intracavity loss/noise. One resonator
cavity supports only one fundamental beam, which eliminates the green
problem. The gain media can be selected from an extensive group of
materials including isotropic and naturally birefringent crystals, with
polarization dependent or independent laser emissions. Laser devices
constructed in accordance with the inventive method are demonstrated with
various configurations.