Laser-plasma synthesis of diamond films

A novel technique for plasma synthesis of diamond films (and in future of other materials) with the aid of a stationary optical discharge in flowing mixtures of reactant gases was proposed and experimentally implemented. The use of a cw CO2 laser of 2.5 kW power acting on an Xe - H2 - CH4 gaseous mixture, in an atmospheric-pressure reactor developed for the purpose, made it possible to achieve diamond film deposition rates of 30-50 μm h-1 on an area of 1 cm2. The characteristic features and advantages of this laser-plasma deposition technique are discussed. (letters to the editor)