Operating Lifetime of Color Center Laser Using F2 Centers in LiF : Mg Single Crystals

Abstract

An investigation of stable laser action at room temperature using the F2 centers of LiF : Mg crystals is presented. A remarkable reduction in fading of the output signal intensity has been achieved by adjusting the Mg impurity level to an appropriate quantity and by optimizing F2 center concentration. It is found that magnesium ions in LiF crystals play a role for suppressing the fading of laser action due to the two-step photoionization process. It is also found that the fading strongly depends on intracavity power and temperature. © 1986, The Society of Materials Science, Japan. All rights reserved.