A simple model is developed to study the laser cooling of solids. The condition of laser cooling of a solid is developed. By using some parameters of the Yb3+ ion, which is most widely used in laser cooling, we then calculate the cooling power and the cooling efficiency. In order to make a more precise analysis, the effect of fluorescent reabsorption, which is unavoidable in the cooling process, is discussed using the random walk model. Taking Tm3+ ion as an example, we derive the average number of absorption events and determine the change in quantum efficiency due to reabsorption. Finally, we obtain the red-shift of the fluorescent wavelength and the requirement of sample dimension.

We propose a new method to cool the Yb3+-doped ZBLANP glass in a standing-wave cavity. There are two advantages of this cavity-enhanced technique: the pumping power is greatly enhanced and the absorption of the cooling material is greatly increased. We introduce the basic principle of the cavity-enhanced laser cooling and discuss the cooling effect of a solid-state material in a cavity. From the theoretical study, it is found that the laser cooling effect is strongly dependent on the reflectivity of the cavity mirrors, the length of the solid material, the surface scattering of the material, and so on. Some optimal parameters for efficient laser cooling are obtained.