Diamond diffractive lens with a continuous profile for powerful terahertz radiation

An increase in the radiation power of terahertz (THz) sources requires the development of new optics working with it. The laser-assisted replication technique is proposed to fabricate the diamond cylindrical diffractive lens with a continuous profile for the THz range. The procedure involves the inverted structuring of a silicon substrate by laser ablation for its further replication to the diamond surface utilizing the chemical vapor deposition process. Testing of the fabricated lens performed with a free-electron laser at the wavelength of 141 mu m has demonstrated high diffraction efficiency (95 +/- 5%) and a good agreement between the measured and expected intensity distribution in the focal plane. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America