Industrial Laser Solutions reports that Australian researchers have demonstrated the first laser built with diamonds which possesses comparable efficiency to lasers built with other materials.

The scientists noted that the Raman laser which they developed paves the way to new defense technologies and more sophisticated surgical uses. According to the developers, the properties of diamonds may also lead to more powerful lasers with the ability to produce laser light colors unavailable at this time to existing technologies.

Led by Richard Mildren of Macqaurie University in Sydney and Alexander Sabella of the Defense Science and Technology Organization in Edinburgh, South Australia, the scientists explained that the existing Raman lasers usually use crystals of silicon, barium nitrate or metal tungstate to amplify light. However, diamonds have a higher optical gain, as well as a greater thermal conductivity.

Mildren noted: "The diamond is quite a bizarre material with unique and extreme properties. Single crystal diamond is very new on the scene as an optical and laser material."