Broadly tunable lasers using color centers

Abstract

The potential of certain color centers to make efficient broadly tunable cw lasers for the infrared is discussed. We show how the range 0.9 ≲λ≲3.3 μm can be covered by using F_A(II), F_B(II) and F⁺₂ centers. The pertinent physics of these centers is reviewed and appropriate laser cavity configurations are discussed. The construction and performance of an advanced F_A(II) laser is reported. Finally, the possible use of color centers in distributed feedback devices is discussed.