Abstract: In one aspect, a method for producing a diffractive optical element for beam shaping of a laser beam having a first wavelength of at least 100 nm includes providing a laser mirror, the laser mirror having a layered structure made of a substrate, a dielectric layer and optionally an absorption layer, the dielectric layer resting against the substrate or the absorption layer being located between the substrate and the dielectric layer. The method also includes creating a plurality of bulges of the dielectric layer by treating the laser mirror with a series of focused heating laser beams having a second wavelength (?2), the plurality of bulges having a height perpendicular to the dielectric layer, and at least one bulge having a height of at least half the first wavelength (?1).