“Technology-grade” (or “optical-grade”) diamonds are not just relevant—they are essentially the enabling hardware that makes high-power laser beaming physically possible.
While the aerospace companies (like Aetherflux or Star Catcher) build the systems, they rely on lab-grown synthetic diamonds to handle the extreme heat and energy density that would melt or shatter traditional glass and copper components.
1. The “Exit Window” Problem
When you fire a multi-kilowatt laser, the “window” or lens it passes through absorbs a tiny fraction of that energy. In standard glass, this small absorption causes the lens to heat up and expand, a phenomenon called thermal lensing. This distorts the beam, making it impossible to hit a small target (like a drone) miles away.
The Diamond Solution: Technology-grade diamonds have the highest thermal conductivity of any known material—roughly 5 times higher than copper. They whisk heat away so fast that the lens stays cool and the beam remains perfectly sharp.
2. Space-Grown Diamonds
A major trend in 2025–2026 is growing diamonds in microgravity.
Why Space? On Earth, gravity causes “convection currents” in the gases used to grow diamonds, which can lead to microscopic flaws or impurities.
Aerospace Benefit: Diamonds grown on the ISS or commercial space stations are “purer” (Type IIa). This purity allows them to transmit even higher power levels with almost zero energy loss, making them perfect for Satellite-to-Satellite power beaming where every watt of efficiency counts.
3. High-Power Heat Sinks
The laser “engine” (the diode) generates massive amounts of waste heat. If this heat isn’t removed, the laser’s wavelength shifts or the component burns out.
GaN-on-Diamond: Many companies are now using “Gallium Nitride on Diamond” wafers. This hybrid material allows electronics to run at 3x to 10x the power density of traditional silicon, which is critical for compact, high-output power beaming satellites.
4. Frequency Conversion (The “Artificial Sun”)
Some companies, such as LakeDiamond, use diamonds as a “Raman laser medium.”