Suppression of graphite formation during laser etching of diamond
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsThomas R. Anthony, James F. Fleischer
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Abstract
Graphite formation on a diamond surface during laser etching is inhibited or the graphite is removed by contact with a gaseous material such as elemental hydrogen, elemental oxygen, an inert gas or a source of hydroxyl radicals. Preferably, the article being etched is cooled and maintained in an inert atmosphere during etching.
Claims9
A method for laser etching a diamond article which comprises contacting the region to be etched with a cutting laser and simultaneously cooling said article and contacting said article, at least at the point of etching, with a gaseous material effective to remove graphite or inhibit its formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.