Abstract

Crystals of LiF are popular matricies for colour centers widely used in tunable lasers. Up to now the generation is obtained on F_2, ${\text{F}}_3^{+}$, ${\text{F}}_2^{+}$, ${\left({\text{F}}_2^{+}\right)}^{*}$ ${\text{F}}_2^{-}$-colour centers in LiF, and on two nonidentified centers (see, for example the review [l]>. We are the first to present the highly efficient generatiion on ${\text{F}}_3^{-}$-centers in LiF in the 860-1020 nm range, and the possibility to use the absorption bands of these centers for the excitation of the generation on ${\text{F}}_2^{-}$-centers and Q-switching of the flash-lamp pumped A1₂O₃:Ti³⁺laser.

© 1991 Optical Society of America