A system for emitting diffused ultraviolet radiation for the disinfection of air, water, food or other surfaces includes a laser for generating a laser beam in a desired wavelength range and a beam shaping system. The beam shaping system includes a beamsplitting optical element for splitting the laser beam into a plurality of beamlets and at least one diffusive reflective element for reflecting at least one beamlet with a diffused radiation profile wherein the at least one diffusive reflective element comprises one of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and barium sulphate.
