Distributed-Feedback Color Center Lasers Using N₂Centers in KCl

Abstract

We report on a distributed-feedback (DFB) color center laser based on N2 centers in KCl. A periodic grating with fringe spacings as fine as 440 nm was produced by means of a two-photon coloration process using two interfering beams. Coloration and photoaggregation processes and the DFB laser action can be availed by the fourth- and second-harmonic and the fundamental lines of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, respectively. The linewidth of the DFB output is less than 0.3 nm in the spectrally important 1300 nm region.

Tunable distributed-feedback color center laser using stabilized F 2 +** color centers in LiF crystal

“…The construction of DFB lasers using F A (II) and N 2 CCs in KCl and F 2 CCs in LiF crystals was reported by G.C. Bjorklund 11 and Kurobori et al 12,13 . However, poor thermoand photo-stability were limiting factors in these crystals, and thus the lifetime of these lasers was short.…”

Electrolytic coloration and spectral properties of hydroxyl-doped potassium chloride single crystals

“…Potassium chloride single crystals with appropriate color centers or impurities are well-known optoelectronic materials. They have been used in laser [1], hologram [2], information storage [3], spectral holeburning [4], etc. Hydroxyl impurity ions can be introduced into alkali-halide single crystals for stabilizing F 2 þ laser active centers.…”

“…Hydroxyl-doped potassium chloride single crystals can be colored by additive coloration and ionizing radiation [1,6,7], while various color centers are produced in the colored single crystal. Electrolytic coloration is also an effective and convenient coloration method, and it possesses substantial advantages as compared with additive coloration or ionizing radiation.…”

Distributed‐feedback color center lasers in wide‐band gap materials fabricated by a pair of chirped femtosecond pulses

“…As regards DFB color center lasers fabricated by nanosecond (ns) laser illumination, only two DFB laser oscillations in KCl containing N 2 (i.e., F 4 ) color centers [4] and in KCl: Li containing F A (II) [5] color centers have been demonstrated in the near-IR region so far. However, these lasers need the cryogenic temperature operation, the complex photochromic conversion processes to obtain the laser-active color centers, and the long exposures to obtain precisely registered gratings inside a crystal.…”