Abstract

We report on generation of narrow spectral linewidth UV light tunable from 280 nm to 311 nm with high absolute conversion efficiency, based on the Ce:LiCAF laser pumped by fourth harmonic of diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser. Two alternative systems- power oscillator and oscillator-amplifier utilizing Ce:LiCAF - demonstrated efficiency in excess of 10% with spectral linewidth of 5 pm. Additionally, broader line (0.3 nm) power oscillator based on Ce:LiCAF has shown absolute conversion efficiency from fundamental (1064 nm) wavelength to the tunable output of more than 6%, and an absolute efficiency of 27% for conversion from the 266 nm pump.

© 1998 Optical Society of America