EXCIMER-LASER PROCESSING OF CHEMICAL-VAPOR-DEPOSITED DIAMOND FIBERS

Excimer laser radiation (XeCl, lambda=308 nm and ArF, lambda=193 nm) h as been used both to cut chemical vapour-deposited diamond-coated tung sten wires (diamond fibres) of diameter less than or equal to 200 mu m and to smooth and profile the diamond surface. The effects of ablatio n and localized heating in the focal volume on the diamond and the tun gsten core are described, and compared with results obtained for a Nd: YAG laser. The laser fluence and/or intensity, beam homogeneity and an gle of incidence were identified as key parameters in ultraviolet lase r-induced ablation of diamond-coated wires and fibres. Surface smoothi ng may lead to increase fibre strength.