Use of Diamond as an Optical Material

Abstract

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes promise inexpensive diamond optics and coatings with large dimensions. Near term optical applications include x-ray windows, membranes for x ray lithography, and infrared windows and domes. CVD diamond, which is mainly polycrystalline, shows materials problems that include scattering due to large surface roughness, absorption due to defects, non diamond carbon phases, and impurities, and poor diamond/substrate adhesion. Free carrier absorption in CVD diamond has also been reported. While diamond films less than 3 um thick can be made transmissive in the visible and in the ultraviolet, at these wavelengths, thicker components scatter excessively and show absorption due to defects. Continuing research is improving the optical quality of CVD diamond. New polishing methods have yielded smooth surfaces in reasonable polishing times. Recent research holds promise for large optics made from single crystal diamond.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 27, 1991
Accession Number
ADA243097

Entities

People

  • Albert R. Feldman

Organizations

  • National Institute of Standards and Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Vapor Deposition
  • Chemistry
  • Coatings
  • Engineering
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Military Research
  • Optical Materials
  • Optical Properties
  • Optics
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Scattering
  • Single Crystals
  • Surface Roughness
  • X Ray Lithography

Fields of Study

  • Materials science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Spectroscopy.
  • Surface Coatings Technology.