Abstract

A variety of ${({\mathrm{F}}_2^{+})}_{\mathrm{A}}$ center crystals has been used to achieve broadly tunable (roughly 2.0 to 4.0 microns) efficient laser action. Recently an osci11ator-amplifier system has been constructed using KCI:Li crystals in which we achieve output energies of 2.3 mJ (peak powers exceeding 0.4 MU) and continuous tuning over 2.0 to 2.4 microns). This talk will describe the photo-kinetics of the ${({\mathrm{F}}_2^{+})}_{\mathrm{A}}$ laser, summarize several milestones in the use of the 1aser, and will end with a description of the recently constructed oscillator-amplifier system.

© 1985 Optical Society of America