Photochemical processes during LiF:F3+ color center lasing

A limited stability was obtained in the LiF:F3+ color center laser operation which was made by pumping with the second harmonic beam of a Ti:sapphire laser. The photochemical processes occurred during such a pumping with a high power blue laser beam have been studied to clarify the reason of the limited laser operation. A comparison was made with the photochemical processes in LiF crystals which were excited with 532 nm light during the LiF:F2+ color center laser operation.