Patent ID: 7224871

Claim:
Ultra-stable apparatus for the positioning of an optical element for sub-micron accuracies, comprising: a base having a slot therein for defining a first live hinge, having side faces and including a fixed portion and a moveable portion joined by said hinge, said moveable portion including an optical element holder having a center; an adjustment unit for moving said moveable portion to an adjusted position, thus to flex said hinge; clamping plates on diametrically opposite sides of said first live hinge so as to contact the side faces thereof to sandwich said first live hinge therebetween, said plates when clamped together adapted to engage said first live hinges at said side faces to prevent flexure of said live hinge; and, an actuator for clamping said plates together after achieving said adjusted position, thus to lock in said adjusted position, whereby clamping said plates preserves said adjusted position to said sub-micron accuracy without altering said adjusted position during the locking procedure.