Abstract

In this paper we report high power operation of Ce:LiCAF and Ce:LiLuF lasers pumped by a 7 kHz PRF frequency doubled copper vapour laser (CVL). The free-lasing Ce:LiCAF laser yielded up to 530 mW at a wavelength of 288.5 nm when pumped with 1.9 W, with a slope efficiency of 32%. The maximum output power obtained from the untuned Ce:LiLuF laser was 300 mW at a wavelength of 309.5 nm from 1.05 W of pump power, with a slope efficiency of 38%. By means of a single prism tunability was achieved from 280.5 to 316 nm in the case of the Ce:LiCAF laser and from 305.5 to 316 nm and 323 to 331 nm for the Ce:LiLuF laser.

© 1999 Optical Society of America