Colour centre LiF:F 2 s- passiveQ-switch for cw pumped Nd:Yag laser

Operation of a cw pumped Nd:YAG laserQ-switched by a LiF crystal containing F 2 s- centres is reported. Pulses of duration of 230 ns with a repetition rate of 1–3 kHz were generated. The colour centreQ-switch was used for the period of three months without any observable deterioration.