DIODE-PUMPED LIF-F-2(-CENTER LASER TUNABLE IN 880-995-NM REGION AT ROOM-TEMPERATURE()ASTERISK COLOR)

Pulsed operation of a tunable LiF:F-2(+) color center laser has been obtained at room temperature under pumping by 680-nm fiber-coupled lin ear array laser diodes for the first time to the authors knowledge. Th e LiF:F-2(+) tunable laser operates in 880-995-nm region by use of an intracavity birefringent plate. Using a nonselective resonator the la ser showed 3% pumping-to-lasing conversion efficiency. In the tunable narrow band operation the measured optical-to-optical conversion effic iency was 2%, The obtained result is expected to cause more widespread applications of diode-pumped LiF:F-2(+) laser and possible its comme rcialization.