Subpicosecond-pulse generation in a synchronously mode-locked ring color-center laser

Data are presented for the operation of a versatile color-center laser that permitted the generation of stable trains of subpicosecond pulses in a synchronously pumped ring configuration. With LiF:F(2)(+) as the gain medium, pulses having durations of 0.7 psec (Gaussian pulse shape assumed) were reliably obtained with average powers of 15-20 mW available in each of the two output beams. These pulse widths are more than a factor of 2 shorter than those obtained when this laser was configured with a standing-wave resonator.