Compact ultra fast laser

The solid state laser comprises a laser gain medium ( 1 ), pumping means for pumping the laser gain medium, and a laser cavity having a first end ( 3 ) and a second end ( 17 ), wherein the laser gain medium is at, or in the vicinity of, said first end ( 3 ) of said cavity. A semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) can be placed at the second end ( 17 ) of the cavity. The laser gain medium can comprise at least one face for receiving pumping energy from the pumping means, the face being made reflective at a laser frequency of the laser, so that it can form the first end of the laser cavity. The resulting setup used for generating femtosecond laser pulses.