Aperture Material Selection

Choosing a High Power Aperture

     The selection of an aperture for use in the optical transfer assembly of a high energy/high power laser requires careful consideration of the characteristics of the aperture disc material and the operational parameters of the laser. 

Ideal H/P Apertures

     The ideal aperture disc material would be one that has a very high melting point and a high thermal conductivity.  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.

High Power Aperture Reflectivity / Thresholds

     The “Laser Damage Threshold” is the pulse energy density 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.  Table 3 outlines the reflectivity of several polished metals at the 1.06 µ laser wavelength.  For example, copper reflectivity is 98%, which means that only 2% of the energy incident upon a polished copper surface will be absorbed and contribute to heating. 

Lenox Laser high power apertures are standard drilled in gold, gold-copper, copper, and other substrates.  High Power apertures stand high temperatures.  Lenox Laser high power gold, copper, and gold/copper apertures are precision drilled and designed to perform.

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