The present application discloses various embodiments of a high peak power laser system which includes a diode pump source configured to directly pump at least one optical crystal positioned within the laser cavity, the diode pump source emitting at least one pump beam comprised of two or more vertically stacked optical signals having a wavelength from about 400 nm to about 1100 nm., the optical crystal configured to output at least one optical output having a wavelength of about 750 nm to about 1100 nm and having an output power of about 25 kW or more.