Pumping schemes for multi-kW thin disk lasers

Various pumping schemes for operating thin disk lasers are reported. Starting from quasi-end-pumping of one disk we will discuss how multiple absorption passes in the laser crystal can be realized by using, iterative relay imaging. This concept can be extended for pumping several disks simultaneously in one compact setup. For multi-kW operation of the thin disk laser edge-pumping of the laser crystal is proposed for even better performance of the thin disk laser compared to quasi-end-pumped schemes.