Abstract: Preparation of chicken embryo allantoic fluids for animal health requires opening the eggshell by cutting, drilling or punching methods. Laser cutting and drilling is used as an alternative to known processes. Both CO.sub.2 and Nd:YAG lasers are employed. A focused CO.sub.2 laser beam at a power of 200 watts in conjunction with an X-Y motion table produced 25 mm diameter "clean-cuts" in eggshells with a cutting time of 0.5 seconds per egg. The material removal mechanism was vaporization. When an axicon/lens combination is used with a CO.sub.2 laser, the cutting time was further reduced to 0.2 seconds per egg and the mechanism of material removal is changed from vaporization to decomposition of the eggshell into fine powders. Small holes, typical diameters of 0.5 mm to 1 mm are generated in the eggshell using the pulsed Nd:YAG laser.

Abstract: Infrared lasers are used to deposit diamond thin films onto a substrate. In one embodiment, the deposition of the film is from a gas mixture of CH.sub.4 and H.sub.2 that is introduced into a chemical vapor deposition chamber and caused to flow over the surface of the substrate to be coated while the laser is directed onto the surface. In another embodiment, pure carbon in the form of soot is delivered onto the surface to be coated and the laser beam is directed onto the surface in an atmosphere that prevents the carbon from being burned to CO.sub.2.