Method and apparatus for aligning mirror blocks of a multi-element mirror assembly

A method for forming a mirror assembly, the mirror assembly including a mirror block and a base plate, the base plate including at least one base plate alignment feature, the method comprising:

• positioning the mirror block in contact with the base plate;
• indexing at least one portion of an alignment tool with respect to the base plate;
• applying at least a first force, wherein applying at least the first force includes moving the mirror block with respect to the at least one base plate alignment feature;
• determining when a first surface of the mirror block is substantially coplanar with a first surface of the at least one base plate alignment feature, wherein determining when the first surface of the mirror block is substantially coplanar with the first surface of the at least one base plate alignment feature includes determining when the at least one portion of the alignment tool abuts the first surface of the mirror block and the first surface of the at least one base plate alignment feature;
• and
• coupling the mirror block to the base plate when it is determined that the first surface of the mirror block is substantially coplanar with the first surface of the at least one base plate alignment feature.