Tunable yellow-green laser based on second harmonic generation of LIF : F-2(-) in KTP

A yellow-green solid-state laser source based on frequency-doubling of a ro om temperature LiF:F-2(-) laser in KTP is reported. Second harmonic generat ion of free-running and prism-tuned pulsed lasers has been characterized. T unable operation between 555 and 595 nm was obtained, with a conversion eff iciency of 7.5% for the free-running laser, and up to 4% for the prism-tune d configuration. The angular bandwidth of 60 milliradians exceeded the theo retical value by a factor of 3.5. A flattened tuning curve in the visible r egion was obtained through enhanced conversion efficiency in the wings of t he LIF:F-2(-) laser tuning range.