Optical assemblies and apparatuses and methods for aligning components of optical assemblies

An alignment apparatus for aligning components of an optical assembly, the alignment apparatus comprising:

• a chuck configured to support the optical assembly thereon;
• and
• an adjustable flexure assembly disposed around the chuck, the adjustable flexure assembly comprising a plurality of flexures, wherein:
• the plurality of flexures are positioned relative to the chuck such that each of the plurality of flexures is configured to contact the optical assembly when the optical assembly is positioned on the chuck, and each of the plurality of flexures is configured to deflect in response to the contact with the optical assembly;
• and
• adjustment of a position of one or more flexures of the plurality of flexures adjusts an alignment of an optical axis of an optical component of the optical assembly when the optical assembly is positioned on the chuck, wherein the alignment apparatus is configured to align optical axes of the optical component to an angle of deviation of less than about 1,000 μrad and provide an extinction ratio within the optical assembly of greater than or equal to 1000:1.