Abstract: A method of marking or coloring a diamond article, such as a surgical blade, wire die, diamond anvil, laser window, or the like, to generate a reference mark that may subsequently be modified, reduced or removed by an annealing technique. The method of coloring uses particles such as electrons, ions, neutrons, or gammas, which are preferably of high energy, and preferably in a form of a controlled beam. The treatment is such that the particles or beam used in the treatment cause local damage or defect centers in the material, such defect centers then generating the desired color or mark.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the alignment between peaks in an etalon transmission spectrum and a periodic lock frequency grid such as the ITU grid is disclosed. The method determines and implements a value for the effective etalon thickness, which generates suitable periodicity in the etalon transmission spectrum and simultaneously aligns an appropriate etalon transmission peak, with a predetermined fractional interference order, to a predetermined frequency in the periodic lock frequency grid. The method may also adjust the value of the fractional interference order in an iterative process. The method can be used in manufacturing a wavelength locker containing an etalon.

Abstract: A method of forming a protective layer of fluorine atoms on a cutting blade of a surgical instrument in which the blade is formed of a hard, transparent, crystalline material such as diamond, sapphire or garnet. According to the method the blade is placed in a plasma reactor, the blade is then plasma cleaned and coated with a plasma of carbon fluoride gas. A method of forming a protective layer of fluorine atoms on a blade for surgical instruments in which the blade is immersed into a solution of fluoroaliphatic silyl ether.

Abstract: A cutting insert, particularly a razor blade or surgical blade, including a layer of diamond having a cutting edge defined at the intersection to two converging surfaces. The converging surfaces are coated with a layer of diamond-like carbon (DLC).