Laser Thermal’s TOPS — which stands for Thermo-Optical Plane Source — is a revolutionary system designed to measure thermal conductivity with unprecedented speed, precision, and simplicity. Unlike traditional methods, TOPS employs a non-contact, laser-based approach that eliminates the need for complex sample preparation or knowledge of material properties such as density, heat capacity, or dimensions. This innovation allows for rapid, accurate thermal conductivity measurements of a wide range of materials, including solids, liquids, pastes, gels, and foams. The whole process is said to take under three minutes.

Key features of TOPS include its versatility in handling various sample shapes and sizes, high repeatability (+/- 1%), and the ability to detect localized variations without damaging samples. By streamlining the measurement process with TOPS, Laser Thermal enables engineers and scientists to gather critical data more efficiently, which has potential for accelerating materials discovery, improving quality control, and enhancing product design.

Image Credit: Laser Thermal