Lasing on LiF:F(-)2 - dye centers with transverse pumping

Tunable lasing in an LiF:F-2 - color center crystal laser employing transverse pumping is described. Uniform transverse pumping of the active crystals is achieved by employing banks of 90 deg prisms, which satisfy the condition of total internal reflection for the pumping radiation. A tunable lasing line with 0.6 cm-1 and 80 mJ is achieved in the selective cavity of the device, employing a holographic selector with spatial frequency of 2100 mm-1 as the dispersing element. The pumping scheme can, in principle, be used to obtain powerful tunable lasing in organic dye solutions without using amplifier stages.