Maintenance of optimal orientation in F2+ color center lasers

摘要

Intense optical pumping of the 1S sigma g->2P sigma u transition of the F2+ color center as required for laser action produces a slow orientational bleaching of the F2+ color centers that is eventually debilitating to the F2+ color center laser action. This bleaching is prevented by periodically or continuously subjecting the color centers to a two-step pumping with polarized radiation such that the centers are all returned to the optimal orientation for absorbing pumping radiation for laser action.