Abstract: A method of processing a super-hard material having a Vickers hardness of no less than 2000 kg/mm2, the method comprising: (a) forming a surface of the super-hard material to have a first surface profile within a first root mean square deviation being no more than 5 ?m; (b) analyzing said surface of the super-hard material to detect a plurality of protruding regions on said surface; and (c) selectively processing over only the protruding regions on the surface of the super-hard material to form a second surface profile within a second root mean square deviation from the smooth target surface profile, said second root mean square deviation being no more than 100 nm.

Abstract: A component for a laser tool, the component comprising: a tubular body defining an internal channel and an aperture; and a window disposed across the aperture and bonded to the tubular body around the aperture, wherein the window is diamond, and wherein the tubular body comprises a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion ? of 14×10?6 K?1 or less at 20° C. and a thermal conductivity of 60 Wm?1K?1 or more at 20° C.

Abstract: A component for an optical probe, the component comprising: a tubular body defining an internal channel and an opening; a mounting ring which is mounted within the internal channel and configured to define an aperture aligned with the opening; and a window disposed across the aperture and bonded to the mounting ring around the aperture, wherein the window is diamond, wherein the mounting ring comprises a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion a of 14×10?6 K?1 or less at 20° C. and a thermal conductivity of 60 Wm?1K?1 or more at 20° C., and wherein the tubular body is made of a chemically inert material.

Abstract: A component for an optical probe, the component comprising: a tubular body defining an internal channel and an opening; a mounting ring which is mounted within the internal channel and configured to define an aperture aligned with the opening; and a window disposed across the aperture and bonded to the mounting ring around the aperture, wherein the window is diamond, wherein the mounting ring comprises a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion a of 14×10?6 K?1 or less at 20° C. and a thermal conductivity of 60 Wm?1K?1 or more at 20° C., and wherein the tubular body is made of a chemically inert material.

Abstract: A component for a laser tool, the component comprising: a tubular body defining an internal channel and an aperture; and a window disposed across the aperture and bonded to the tubular body around the aperture, wherein the window is diamond, and wherein the tubular body comprises a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion ? of 14×10?6 K?1 or less at 20° C. and a thermal conductivity of 60 Wm?1K?1 or more at 20° C.

Abstract: A single crystal diamond element having a convex surface is disclosed, the convex surface including a spherical segment for which the maximum peak to valley deviation from a perfect spherical surface is less than about 5 ?m. Alternatively or in addition, the RMS deviation from a perfect spherical surface may be less than about 500 nm, or the RMS roughness less than about 30 nm. A single crystal diamond element with a radius of curvature less than about 20 mm is also disclosed. In one aspect a single crystal diamond element having a conical half-angle greater than about 10° is described. The invention also provides a method for forming a rotationally symmetrical surface on a single crystal diamond element, comprising rotating the element about a first axis, applying a laser beam to the element in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, and translating the laser beam in two dimensions in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the beam.

Abstract: A single crystal diamond element having a convex surface is disclosed, the convex surface including a spherical segment for which the maximum peak to valley deviation from a perfect spherical surface is less than about 5 ?m. Alternatively or in addition, the RMS deviation from a perfect spherical surface may be less than about 500 nm, or the RMS roughness less than about 30 nm. A single crystal diamond element with a radius of curvature less than about 20 mm is also disclosed. In one aspect a single crystal diamond element having a conical half-angle greater than about 10° is described. The invention also provides a method for forming a rotationally symmetrical surface on a single crystal diamond element, comprising rotating the element about a first axis, applying a laser beam to the element in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, and translating the laser beam in two dimensions in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the beam.