LiF: F(2)- as a high repetition rate Ng: YAG laser passive modulator.
30-pps 30-mJ 10-ns FWHM pulses have been obtained in Nd:YAG laser systems with LiF crystal containing F(2)- color centers as the passive Q-Switch modulator. The saturation level of F(2)- color centers in the host crystal and the annealing phenomena of LiF: F(2)-(2) crystal were investigated. These observations make this room temperature stable color center crystal superb as a high power, high repetition rate neodymium laser passive modulator.
Passive Q-switch and mode-locking modulators for lasers
Abstract Four kinds of currently available Nd : hosted laser passive Q-switch and mode-locking modulators: plastic dye sheet, LiF : F 2 − color center crystal, Cr +4 : YAG crystal and RG1000 colored glass filter were investigated in detail and summarized for comparison for the first time. The LiF : F 2 − crystal with outstanding annealability, long lifetime, low cost and operability at high repetition rates is highly recommended.
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS: Flashlamp-pumped LiF crystal laser with stable F2+ color centers
Stimulated emission from an LiF crystal laser with stable F2+ color centers was achieved for the first time as a result of flashlamp pumping. Two types of crystal, differing in respect of the growth technology and coloration method, had lasing thresholds of ~80J, maximum energies of the output pulses ~10mJ, and pulse durations 12μsec. The tuning ranges were 0.89–1.03 and 0.90–0.99μ. After a thousand pulses there was practically no change in the lasing efficiency.