Output characteristics of strongly excited LiF:$F_2^-$ crystal lasers

An investigation was made of the dependences of the energy characteristics of lasing and of the efficiency of conversion of pump radiation on the pump power density up to 200 MW/cm$^2$ supplied to LiF:$F_2^-$ lasers. It was established that the dependences in question had maxima. This made it possible to optimize the lasers in respect of their output parameters. The output energy of an LiF:$F_2^-$ laser with a nonselective resonator reached 0.225 J and the efficiency of conversion of the pump energy was 38 %. Preliminary experiments were also made on tuning of high-energy (in excess of 0.1 J) radiation from an LiF:$F_2^-$ laser and of conversion of this radiation to the second harmonic.