Australian researchers have demonstrated a new diamond laser that is 20 times more powerful than previous diamond lasers.

Average power levels on current laser are less than 20 watts, but the new laser can provide up to 380 watts of output power – the equivalent of approximately 400,000 laser pointers and enough power to easily cut through steel.

High-power diamond lasers are used to beam power over long distances, such as optical communications in space, laser ranging, and the tracking and removal of space debris.

Diamond is a relatively new material for creating laser beams, but it is rapidly becoming a technology leader in terms of generating powerful, high-brightness beams at wavelengths, or ‘colours’, where traditional lasers are not able to shine.

Researchers from the Macquarie University’s Photonics Research Centre joined with fibre laser experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering in Jena, Germany for the demonstration.

“Diamond is an ancient material, yet only now many of its extraordinary properties are becoming evident. High power lasers is one such area that diamond looks like providing a major advantage,” said Rich Mildren, Associate Professor in the MQ Photonics Research Centre.

“Diamond crystals seems to naturally fit to high power fibre lasers. It’s interesting to see that such a development is now possible and I’m sure much exciting research will follow,” said Thomas Schreiber, group leader for the fibre laser research at the Fraunhofer IOF Jena, Germany.

“Around the time of its invention, the laser was famously labelled ‘a solution in need of a problem’, but now it has penetrated so many aspects of industry, science and our daily lives that the number of applications are countless.

“A key to unlocking many more applications of lasers will be the development of high-brightness beams at new wavelengths, and diamond is providing just that,” said Dr Williams.

Their report on the trials is accessible here.