High intensity laser light sources are of increasing scientific interest as a research tool for shock-compression physics, as laser-driven particle and radiation sources and for the study of electron transport and isochoric heating.  These installations are often co-located with x-ray and particle beams used to probe the interaction of these high energy, short duration light pulses with targets of various types.  The difficulties of target fabrication are becoming dramatically more demanding as the repetition rate of the lasers, the number of users and the complexity of their experiments are increasing.

Diamond is an ideal substrate for preparing targets for shock compression studies.  Its high modulus and density allow for higher pressures to be achieved and its high transmission over a wide wavelength range makes it ideal for most types of probes.  Applied Diamond has provided unique diamond targets for secondary source studies incorporating shapes for focusing and metals for plasma temperature studies and high-Z particle beams.