Abstract

A defect-stabilized F₂⁺ center in NaF with virtually unlimited shelf life at room temperature is described. It has allowed for efficient cw laser action tunable from 1.08 to 1.38 μm. The center is achieved with OH⁻ doping and heavy radiation damage. Studies of production of this center and of the similar (F₂⁺)* center in crystals doped with divalent metal ions reveal that in both cases the stabilizing defect is itself a produce of the radiation damage.

© 1981 Optical Society of America

Room-temperature-stable, F₂⁺-like center yields cw laser tunable over the 0.99–1.22-μm range

L. F. Mollenauer
Opt. Lett. 5(5) 188-190 (1980)

Broadly tunable laser action beyond 3 μm from (F₂⁺)A centers in lithium-doped KI

Irwin Schneider and Charles L. Marquardt
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Tunable visible lasers using F⁺ centers in oxides

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