Application of lasers utilizing color centers in alkali halide crystals to intracavity laser spectroscopy

Laser action was achieved in OH-stabilized F₂⁺ centers in LiF pumped by free-oscillation ruby laser radiation. The spectral range of the stimulated emission was 0.84–1.13μ. In a nonselective resonator, an atmospheric air absorption spectrum in the range 0.9–0.98μ was obtained by intracavity laser spectroscopy. The sensitivity was governed by the pump pulse duration of 1 μsec and was 3×10^–5cm^–1. Absorption spectra of C₂H₂, CH₃OH, and CH₄ were obtained in this spectral range. The results showed that lasers utilizing color centers in alkali halide crystals are potentially useful for intracavity laser spectroscopy.