The catastrophic optical mirror damage has a significantly negative effect on the maximum output power and reliability of the high-power diode laser, which is the main mechanism of its sudden failure. How to overcome the catastrophic optical mirror damage of the cavity surface to obtain the high-performance diode lasers has become an important research topic at home and abroad. Firstly, the research process of catastrophic optical mirror damage is briefly introduced in this paper. Then the mechanisms and the thermal kinetics of the catastrophic optical mirror damage are discussed. Finally, various surface passivation technologies are summarized one by one from the perspectives of technical principles, methods, advantages and disadvantages and the improved methods, research progress and application status.