Diamond diffraction optics for CO2 lasers

A laser ablation method for the formation of a phase microrelief on diamond optical diffraction components, intended for the far-IR range, was propose d and implemented. A one-dimensional diffraction component was made for CO2 laser radiation (lambda = 10.6 mu m): it was a cylindrical lens of 4 mm x 4 mm aperture and with a focal length 25 mm, Microstructuring of the surfac e was performed by selective ablation etching of diamond with KrF excimer l aser radiation (lambda = 248 nm), The distribution of the field intensity i n the focal region of the lens, its depth of focus, and the diffraction eff iciency were determined. A high degree of correlation was found between the experimental characteristics of the lens and the results of computer model ling.