Tunability of laser output in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum has typically only been available only with doubled dye lasers. Their toxicity, size and complexity have made them undesirable for many applications, especially in areas where Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of substitution of trivalent cerium into the colquiriite lattice, which has received considerable attention because of its single ultraviolet emission transition. Laser efficiencies approaching 30% with Ce:LiSAF have been demonstrated, as has tunability spanning from 285 to 297nm. The gain spectrum covers the region from 280 to 320nm, thus optimization of material quality could lead to a UV source which can tune over 4000 cm-1. This research is designed to optimize the Czochralski growth of the Ce:colquiriites in order to produce boules capable of yielding slabs nominally 4x4x80mm. The slabs would be tested in a transverse-pumping geometry to demonstrate moderate average powers over an extended tuning range in the UV. The development of Ce-activated LiSAF/LiCAF will provide the laser community with a crystal that can form the basis of the first, all solid-state, tunable UV laser system.
