Laser source assembly with thermal control and mechanically stable mounting

A laser source that generates an output beam that is directed along a beam axis that is coaxial with a first axis and orthogonal to a second axis, the laser source comprising:

• a first frame;
• a laser that is adapted to generate the output beam that is directed along the beam axis, the laser including a second frame;
• wherein at least one the frames includes a groove;
• and
• a mounting assembly that couples the laser to the first frame, the mounting assembly includes a fastener assembly that couples the laser to the first frame, and an alignment assembly that maintains alignment of the laser along an alignment axis that is substantially parallel to the first axis;
• wherein the fastener assembly allows the second frame to expand and contract relative to the first frame along the first axis and along the second axis;
• wherein the fastener assembly includes an engagement rod that fits into the groove and a resilient assembly that urges the engagement rod into the groove to urge the second frame toward the first frame.

A laser source that generates an output beam that is directed along a beam axis that is coaxial with a first axis and orthogonal to a second axis, the laser source comprising:

• a housing frame;
• a laser that is adapted to generate the output beam that is directed along the beam axis;
• a laser frame that retains the laser, wherein at least one of the frames includes a groove;
• and
• a laser fastener assembly that couples the laser frame to the housing frame, the laser fastener assembly including an engagement rod that fits at least partly into the groove and a resilient assembly that urges the engagement rod into the groove to urge the laser frame toward the housing frame.

A method for generating an output beam that is directed along a beam axis that is coaxial with a first axis and orthogonal to a second axis, the method comprising:

• providing a housing frame;
• generating an output beam directed along the beam axis with a laser;
• retaining the laser with a laser frame, wherein at least one of the housing frame and the laser frame includes a first groove;
• and
• coupling the laser frame to the housing frame with a first engagement rod that fits at least partly into the first groove and a first resilient assembly that urges the first engagement rod into the first groove to urge the laser frame toward the housing frame.