Broadly tunable cw lasers using F_2^+ centers for the 126–148 and 082–107 μm bands

Abstract

A cw laser using F(2)(+) centers in KF, continuously tunable over the range 1.26 </= lambda </= 1.48 microm and having a measured slope efficiency of 30%, is described. A selective, two-step photoionization process was used to provide the required F(2)(+)-center density. Also, preliminary report is made of an F(2)(+)-center laser in LiF having ow outputs in excess of 1 W.