Laser in micro and nanoprocessing of diamond materials

Basic processing operations will be presented. These include diamond polishing and shaping, production of conductive pathways, micro‐ and nanostructures on the diamond surface, such as diffractive optical elements. The possibility to laser produce conductive and hollow structures in the diamond bulk, including curved elements, will be demonstrated. Finally, the techniques of laser assisted diamond CVD, that allow production of smooth or selective‐area grown films will be presented In this article it will be shown that intensive laser radiation is a perfect tool for processing of diamond materials: single crystal, poly‐ and nanocrystalline diamond, amorphous diamond‐like coatings, micro‐ and nanoparticles. The method of synthesis and the major properties of these materials, such as optical absorption and thermal conductivity, will be briefly reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms and general futures of laser‐induced surface and bulk graphitization of diamond.