Abstract: A shutter assembly comprising a first planar member and a second planar member opposed from one another and forming a sleeve having a cavity therebetween, the sleeve having a pair of side rails adjacent the cavity along sides of the sleeve. A first shutter member having a first end is disposed in the cavity and slidingly disposed along one of the side rails, and a second shutter member having a second end is disposed in the cavity and slidingly disposed along the other side rail. The first end is opposed to the second end and is configured to be selectively advanced towards, and retracted from, the second end so as to define an aperture therebetween having a first shape when disposed in a first position, and wherein the aperture has a second larger shape when the first end is disposed in a second position. The first shutter member and the second shutter member maintain a thermal contact with the side rails and the planar members in all positions.

Abstract: A shutter assembly comprising a first planar member and a second planar member opposed from one another and forming a sleeve having a cavity therebetween, the sleeve having a pair of side rails adjacent the cavity along sides of the sleeve. A first shutter member having a first end is disposed in the cavity and slidingly disposed along one of the side rails, and a second shutter member having a second end is disposed in the cavity and slidingly disposed along the other side rail. The first end is opposed to the second end and is configured to be selectively advanced towards, and retracted from, the second end so as to define an aperture therebetween having a first shape when disposed in a first position, and wherein the aperture has a second larger shape when the first end is disposed in a second position. The first shutter member and the second shutter member maintain a thermal contact with the side rails and the planar members in all positions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first component having a first surface and a second component having a second surface. The first surface includes sputtered gold, and the second surface includes a stainless steel alloy. The first surface is configured to contact the second surface, and one of the components is configured to move against another of the components. The stainless steel alloy could consist of a UNS 21800/AISI Type S21800 metal. The sputtered gold could include ion sputtered gold, and the sputtered gold could have a thickness of about 1 micron. The first component could include a first blade of an adjustable aperture mechanism, where the adjustable aperture mechanism also includes a second blade. The second component could include a first plate of the adjustable aperture mechanism, where the adjustable aperture mechanism further includes a second plate. The blades can be configured to move within a space between the plates.