an improved laser rod cooling system in which a laser rod is cooled by conducting the heat generated thereby to a flexible , cushioning gel which surrounds and contacts the rod along its length and secures the rod within a fully enclosing support . the support is thermally conductive and transparent to the pumping energy from a flashlamp . the gel material absorbs differential thermal expansion between the rod and its support to avoid any stresses otherwise exerted on the rod , while the complete surrounding of the rod by the support minimizes thermal gradients within the rod . thus , a light beam with minimal optical distortion is generated by the laser rod .