Patent ID: 8891580

Claim:
A resonator mounting assembly in a laser, comprising: a resonator cage configured to support each of a pair of resonator defining optics at a respective one of a pair of opposite ends of said resonator cage such that a central axis of each of said resonator defining optics is aligned with a propagation axis of the laser; a base of the laser underlying said resonator cage; a plurality of first sets of kinematic mounting elements, said kinematic mounting elements of each first set being mated with one another in an engaged but non-secured relationship so as to support said resonator cage above said base and provide a kinematic mounting interface between said resonator cage and said base that substantially prevents any rotational moments applied on said base to be transferred to said resonator cage; and at least one second set of preload mounting elements fastened with one another in a yieldable secured relationship so as to preload said resonator cage relative to said base to maintain a positive contact at said kinematic mounting interface between said resonator cage and said base that substantially prevents disengagement of said mated kinematic mounting elements of said each first set from one another due to forces and moments generated from thermal expansion and mounting distortion of said base.