Continuous-wave laser utilizing F2+:O2–-color centers in an NaCl:OH crystal tunable in the 1.42–1.78 μm range

Laser-active color centers having optical properties similar to those of F₂⁺ color centers, but exhibiting absorption and luminescence bands shifted in the long-wavelength direction, were observed in additively colored NaCl crystals doped with OH ^– molecular impurities. The spectral and luminescence properties of these color centers were studied and a mechanism of their formation was proposed. Continuous-wave lasing tunable in the 1.42–1.78 μm range with an output power of 520 mW at 1.58 μm was obtained by pumping with YAG:Nd³⁺ laser radiation (λ = 1.064 μm, power 3.5 W) utilizing F₂⁺:O^2– color centers.