On diamond windows for high power synchrotron X-ray beams

Recent advances in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technology have made available thin, free-standing polycrystalline diamond foils that can be used as the window material on high heat load synchrotron X-ray beamlines. Diamond windows have many advantages that stem from the exceptionally attractive thermal, structural, and physical properties of diamond. Numerical simulations indicate that diamond windows can offer an attractive and at times the only alternative to beryllium windows for use on the third generation X-ray synchrotron radiation beamlines. Utilization, design, and fabrication aspects of diamond windows for high heat load X-ray beamlines are discussed, and analytical and numerical results are presented to provide a basis for the design and testing of such windows.