In this review, authors present their latest findings in luminescence quenching kinetics theory and advanced solid state laser experiments. Luminescence quenching kinetics is a popular and exceptionally useful tool to analyze the nanosized luminophores and laser material nanostructure. Quenching kinetics may be multistage, some stages having a complex, not exponential, form. It is often the case for modern laser materials, which are nanostructurized, and for particular cases of energy transfer (such as cooperative down-conversion). We present compact and easy-to-use analytical expressions and computer simulation for various cases of nonexponential quenching kinetics: migration-accelerated quenching in bulk material; cooperative luminescence quenching in bulk material; and two extreme cases of energy transfer in nanoparticles - static and with superfast migration (both including cooperative case of luminescence quenching in ensembles of acceptors comprised of two-, three-, and more particles). We also review the most perspective laser experiments lately performed in our laboratory, including those on fluoride laser nanoceramics and materials for middle infra-red lasers. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.