Recent advances in ultraviolet laser technology

The science and technology of violet and ultraviolet lasers has matured rapidly in the last five years. High average power lasers have been demonstrated and several commercial product lines are now available. Single pulse devices have successfully demonstrated large output energies in well controlled beams. Some of the current laser development programs are discussed. Research in both discharge pumped lasers and E-beam pumped lasers are discussed, as well as review methods of wavelength conversion in these devices. Finally the current understanding of laser induced damage to optical components in the UV is discussed.