Diamond optics for high power CO/sub 2/ lasers

Summary form only given. Chemically vapour deposited (CVD) diamond has recently become available in sufficient size and quality to be used as a material for optics in CO/sub 2/ lasers. For use in the highest-power lasers it must fulfil several requirements concerning material properties, processing, and mounting. Recent results on relevant material property measurements and performance of diamond optical components in these high-power lasers are discussed in this paper.