Abstract: The invention background of alkali laser and its unique advantages are briefly introduced. Based on recent achievements of diode-pumped alkali laser (DPAL), the key technologies that includes line width matching, continuously stable operation and power enhancement are analyzed to meet the application demands. The basic principle of a novel exciplex pumped alkali laser (XPAL), as well as its advantages and disadvantages are explained. By discussing problems existing in this field, potential research work on energy level theory, pump mechanism, buffer gas effect, cavity structure optimization and highpower scaling is proposed to improve output characteristics of DPAL.