Hot pressed SiC-high power laser mirror

摘要

A high power laser mirror and method of making the same are disclosed. Essentially the mirror consists of a refractory composition substrate which is polished to an optical finish and overcoated with a high reflectivity metal and a dielectric film disposed to cover the high reflectivity metal.PPThe method includes the hot pressing of the refractory composition, especially silicon carbide, to form a substrate following which an optical finish is polished on one surface thereof. Thereafter, a metal film with a high reflectivity is applied to cover the optical surface and then a dielectric film is deposited over the high reflectivity metal film. Both films are deposited employing process of vacuum evaporation for deposition on the substrate. As thus combined, the mirror exhibits low optical absorptivity, high thermal conductivity, low weight, and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Since the substrate is formed of a hard refractory composition, an excellent optical finish can be polished on the surface thereof.