The present invention includes a laser amplifier and a method of making the same. The laser amplifier of the present invention includes a gain medium layer having a first index of refraction, and a coupling layer optically coupled to the gain medium. In the various embodiments described herein, the coupling layer can have a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction. The laser amplifier described herein can also include an evanescent layer disposed between the gain medium and the coupling layer. The evanescent layer can have a third index of refraction less than the second index of refraction. The laser amplifier provides high power, efficient laser resonance through frustrated total internal reflection and total internal reflection while simultaneously providing for the minimization of waste heat in the gain medium layer.