Generation and detection of continuously tunable subpicosecond radiation in a lithium fluoride crystal laser with F2– color centers

High-power subpicosecond pulses were generated in a lithium fluoride crystal laser with F₂^– color centers (LiF:F₂^–) pumped synchronously by a train of picosecond pulses from a neodymium glass laser operating in the passive mode locking regime. The shortest pulses generated by the FeF:F₂^– laser had durations less than 0.5 psec and a peak power up to 10 MW. The LiF:F₂^– picosecond laser radiation was continuously tunable in the wavelength range 1.08–1.25μ.