Diode-Pumped Tunable Room-Temperature LiF:F(2)(-) Color-Center Laser

Area of Science:

• Laser physics
• Solid-state lasers
• Nonlinear optics

Background:

• Lithium Fluoride crystals doped with F(2)(-) color centers are known for their potential in laser applications.
• Previous research has explored various laser systems, but pulsed, room-temperature tunable operation of diode-pumped LiF:F(2)(-) lasers remained unachieved.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate pulsed, room-temperature tunable operation of a diode-pumped LiF:F(2)(-) laser for the first time.
• To characterize the tuning range and efficiency of this novel laser system.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diode-pumped configuration for the LiF:F(2)(-) laser.
• Employed a nonselective resonator in the free-running mode.
• Measured the laser's tuning range and conversion efficiencies.

Main Results:

• Achieved pulsed, room-temperature tunable operation of a diode-pumped LiF:F(2)(-) laser.
• The LiF:F(2)(-) oscillator demonstrated tunability within the 1122-1201 nm wavelength range.
• Observed a 4% optical-to-optical conversion efficiency and a 2.5% pumping-to-lasing efficiency at the peak of the tuning curve.

Conclusions:

• Successfully demonstrated the first pulsed, room-temperature tunable diode-pumped LiF:F(2)(-) laser.
• The results confirm the viability of LiF:F(2)(-) as a gain medium for tunable laser sources.
• This advancement opens possibilities for new applications in spectroscopy and optical communications.