Room temperature laser action and Q-switching of F-aggregate color centers in LiF

The authors have verified room temperature operation of F/sub 2/ and F/sub 2//sup +/ color center lasers in LiF heavily irradiated with gamma rays. The F/sub 2//sup -/ centers in their samples exhibit exceptional stability and can be used as solid state passive Q-switches for Nd:YAG lasers. The authors have presented a preliminary picture which helps to explain the origin of unusual behavior in the F/sub 2/ and F/sub 2//sup +/ lasers. Larger doses of gamma radiation, antireflection coatings, and a longitudinal pumping geometry should provide higher efficiencies for the remarkably simple, tunable F/sub 2//sup +/ solid state laser