GENERATION OF PICOSECOND PULSES IN SOLID-STATE LASERS USING NEW ACTIVE MEDIA.

Results are reported of investigations aimed at generating nanosecond radiation pulses in solid-state lasers using new active media having broad gain lines. Passive mode locking is accomplished for the first time in a BeLa:Nd**3** plus laser at a wavelength 1. 354 mu m, and in a YAG:Nd**3** plus laser on a 1. 32- mu m transition. The free lasing and mode-locking regimes were investigated in an alexandrite (BeAl//2O//4:Cr**3** plus ) laser in the 0. 72-0. 78- mu m range and in a synchronously pumped laser on F//2** minus centers in LiF in the 1. 12-1. 24- mu m region. The features of nonlinear perception of IR radiation by the eye, using a developed picosecond laser on F//2** minus centers, are investigated for the first time.