Optical actuator sleeve assembly

An apparatus for controlling an optical signal, said apparatus comprising:

• a mirror guide having a cylindrical base;
• a mirror guide sleeve receiving said cylindrical base of said mirror guide,
• said mirror guide sleeve formed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially the same as said selected coefficient of thermal expansion of said mirror guide;
• an actuator body fused to said mirror guide sleeve, said actuator body formed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially the same as said selected coefficient of thermal expansion of said mirror guide;
• a stop cylinder fixed to at least one of said mirror guide sleeve and said actuator body, said stop cylinder engaging said mirror guide when said mirror guide is in an extended position;
• and
• a means for driving said mirror guide between said extended position and a retracted position by causing said mirror guide to move axially in said mirror guide sleeve.

A method for fabricating an optical device, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) cut and shape a mirror guide sleeve, said mirror guide sleeve having an inside surface with a specified surface texture, said mirror guide sleeve having an inside diameter that varies within a first specified tolerance, said mirror guide formed of fused silica;
• b) after said step of cut and shape said mirror guide sleeve, mold an actuator body around said mirror guide sleeve;
• c) after said step of molding, fire said actuator body and said mirror guide sleeve to form an integrated, fused assembly;
• d) after said step of firing, insert a drive mechanism into a cavity in said actuator body;
• e) after said step of firing, insert a mirror guide into said mirror guide sleeve;
• and
• f) operatively connect said drive mechanism to said mirror guide whereby said mirror guide is adapted to move along an axis of said mirror guide sleeve by said drive mechanism.