Optical Amplifier

Publication Number: WO/2005/088782 International Application No.: PCT/AU2005/000354 Publication Date: 22.09.2005 International Filing Date: 15.03.2005An elongate composite slab gain medium (1) for producing laser radiation is described. The length of the composite slab gain medium (1) defines a longitudinal axis (A-A) with the slab gain medium (1) including a layer of laser-active material (6) having first and second opposed lateral surfaces arranged substantially parallel to this longitudinal axis and displacement means (9) to displace by a predetermined distance successive entry points into at least one of the lateral surfaces of a light ray (10) that travels in a zigzag path longitudinally along the composite slab gain medium (1)