Raman stress microscopy induced by laser-stimulated diamond’s microbreakdown

Induced stresses caused by laser optical breakdown in natural diamond bulk polished along the (331) plane by femtosecond (300 fs) laser pulses with various voltage have been studied. By the crossed polarizing filters, the zones of compression and tension of the affected area are visualized. Stress profiles were obtained using Raman spectroscopy, as well as dependence of the stress on the laser pulse energy at key points of the profiles. The result of profiling demonstrates that the slope in tension occurs faster than the raise in compression with increase of energy pumping.