A review of Table 1, Thermal Conductivity, and Table 2, Melting Temperatures shows that these characteristics are not coincident in any of the commonly used aperture disc materials. Calculation and experimental tests verify that high thermal conductivity is the more important characteristic. A high melting point is the less significant factor in the high power environment. The Laser Damage Threshold is the time required to melt or vaporize a given aperture material in the operational environment of a given laser beam. The material of a high power aperture must not only conduct away sufficient heat but must also have a highly reflective, polished surface facing the laser so that a large percentage of the energy is reflected and does not contribute to heating.
Reflectivity varies with wavelength.
High power apertures, high power aperture, high energy aperture, high energy apertures, high energy optical apertures. High energy optical aperture, high power optical apertures, high power optical aperture, aperture, apertures. Optical apertures, optical aperture, pinhole, aperture mount, hole, small hole. Microscopic hole, pierce, precision aperture, custom aperture, array, blackened aperture, slit, spatial filter.