Single crystal silicon (SCSi) is light, strong, has excellent thermal properties, is readily available and cost and delivery
are competitive with, and probably better than, either beryllium or silicon carbide. In addition, SCSi's zero-defect crystal
structure enables polishing to near-perfect surfaces.
Recent developments in direct bonding have led to simple methods of attaching SCSi, a brittle material, to enhance its
high compressive strength and avoid tensile/brittle failures. Dynamic testing of a bonded assembly has demonstrated
high resonant frequencies and damping capacity. Other recent test results have shown the excellent temporal and thermal
stability of both monolithic and bonded mirror specimens.
So why not choose silicon?
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