Final Report Summary - DIAL (Diamond Lasers: Revolutionising Laser Engineering)
In combination, the four project strands have established the potential of diamond for solid-state laser engineering – by thoroughly characterising its basic laser-related properties and by establishing the potential for its use both to thermally manage existing laser materials and to act as a laser material in its own right. Particular highlights include the demonstration of the first tuneable and monolithic diamond Raman lasers, full characterisation of the Raman gain coefficient in diamond as a function of wavelength and polarisation, a first assessment of laser induced damage in modern high optical quality diamond, the assembly of four-piece optically contacted diamond/laser crystal assemblies, and the fabrication and characterisation of colour-centre containing diamond with parts per million levels of NV and H3 colour centres.
These achievements have led, in turn, to significant technology transfer and follow-on research. In particular, the team has secured continuation funding to work on lasers for LIDAR and clear plastics welding and on monolithic diamond Raman lasers, with support from three EU companies.