Apparatus and methods for mounting an optical element in an optical system

An optical assembly comprising:

• a mounting plate having a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a circular throughhole extending between said rear surface and said front surface, and an oval throughhole extending between said rear surface and said front surface, said oval throughhole having a major axis aligned substantially with a center of said circular throughhole and a minor axis orthogonal to said major axis;
• an optical element coupled with said mounting plate such that said optical element is movable relative to said mounting plate;
• a first circular member positioned within said circular throughhole, said first circular member having a first portion adhesively secured to said optical element and a second portion adhesively secured to said mounting plate;
• a second circular member positioned within said oval throughhole and adhesively secured to said optical element, said second circular member having a diameter substantially equal to a width of said oval throughhole parallel to said minor axis, said second circular member and said oval throughbore cooperating to constrain movement of said optical element to a direction substantially parallel to said major axis.

A method of assembling an optical element with a mounting plate, comprising:

• providing the mounting plate with a throughhole;
• positioning the optical element adjacent to a front side of the mounting plate such that a portion of the optical element blocks an entrance to the throughhole;
• placing a radiation-transmissive member such that at least a portion of the throughhole is obstructed;
• supplying a first quantity of radiation-curable adhesive between the radiation-transmissive member and the optical element;
• and
• exposing the first quantity of radiation-curable adhesive to radiation from a rear side of the mounting plate through the radiation-transmissive member to irradiate the first quantity of radiation-curable adhesive, the radiation being effective to adhesively secure the radiation-transmissive member with the optical element.