Means for purging an assembly cavity of an optical assembly

A cavity control system for controlling a cavity pressure inside a substantially sealed assembly cavity of an optical assembly, the cavity control system comprising:

• an optical pressure controller connected with the optical assembly to control pressure within the assembly cavity so that a cavity pressure inside the assembly cavity is substantially equal to an atmospheric pressure near the optical assembly.

A method for purging a first fluid from an assembly cavity of an optical assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a control housing that defines a housing chamber, the housing chamber enclosing at least a portion of the optical assembly;
• and
• controlling a housing pressure in the housing chamber so that the housing pressure is substantially equal to a cavity pressure in the assembly cavity.

A method for maintaining an optical assembly, the optical assembly having a substantially sealed assembly cavity, the method comprising the steps of:

• controlling a cavity pressure inside the assembly cavity so that the cavity pressure inside the assembly cavity is substantially equal to an atmospheric pressure near the optical assembly.

A method for making an optical assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an optical housing;
• securing at least one optical element to the optical housing to define a substantially sealed assembly cavity;
• reducing a cavity pressure within the assembly cavity below the atmospheric pressure near the optical housing.