LiF-crystal laser media with extremely high F2-center concentrations

It is announced that laser media using color centers have been produced for the first time with extremely high color-center concentrations, corresponding to the region of concentration quenching. Miniature color-center laser active elements, with a colored-layer thickness of 90 micrometers, have been fabricated. This is the first example of the use of a high-current electronic accelerator with an explosive-emission cathode to prepare color-center laser active media. The extremely high concentrations of color centers and the low loss have made it possible to reduce the lasing threshold and to work at lower pump power densities, where the photostability of the laser medium is better.