This introductory-level, one-day course reviews key influences of adverse environments on optical components and instruments, important characteristics of materials, and techniques commonly used to mount individual and multiple lenses, windows, shells, optical filters, prisms and small to moderate sized mirrors. Mounting means include retaining rings, flanges, spring clips, adhesives, sealing compounds, and flexures. Techniques for estimating stress buildup within typical optical components due to imposed mounting forces are summarized. Effects of temperature changes on optomechanical assemblies and athermalization techniques are also summarized. Examples of component mountings in typical optical instrument applications are considered throughout the course in order to illustrate successful design configurations.

This intermediate level, two-day course reviews techniques commonly used to mount individual and multiple lenses, windows, shells, optical filters, and prisms, as well as small and large mirrors in optical instruments. Mounting means described include retaining rings, flanges, clamps, adhesives, sealing compounds, and flexures. Many examples of component mountings in typical optical instrument applications are considered in order to illustrate successful design configurations. Techniques for precision alignment of individual lens elements and lens assemblies are summarized. Analytical techniques for estimating stress buildup within typical optical components due to imposed mounting forces are discussed. The important consequences of changing materials properties, interface geometry, and part dimensions on these stresses are presented. The effects of temperature changes on mechanical forces and stresses in lens mounts also are discussed.