PERFORMANCE-CHARACTERISTICS OF A SYNCHRONOUSLY PUMPED LIF-F2+ COLOR CENTER LASER

We present data from a versatile color center laser design which has permitted the characterization of the synchronously mode-locked behavior of linear and ring cavity configurations for the F//2** plus center in LiF. In a linear cavity, we have generated pulses with typical durations in the 2-3 ps range (assuming a gaussian pulse-shape) and observed performance characteristics similar to those of synchronously pumped dye laser systems with regard to cavity length detuning and pump power dependences. Considerably shorter pulse durations ( approximately equals 0. 7 ps) were obtained from the mode-locked laser when configured in a bi-directional ring resonator.