Pulsed, room-temperature operation of a tunable NaCl, color-center laser

A room-temperature, pulsed, color-center laser using OH(-)-doped NaCl crystals is reported. Crystals were transversely pumped by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1.06microm and produced output energies of 8.6 mJ in 20-nsec pulses. The tuning range extended from 1.37 to 1.77 microm. During 40 h of operation (>10(6) pulses), a gradual power fading was observed. Laser action is tentatively ascribed to F(2)(+) centers.