Patent ID: 6843572

Claim:
A method for supporting a reflective mirror relative to a mounting structure, the method comprising: contacting a mirror-side surface of the mirror with at least three mirror-support devices selected from the group consisting of pulling devices and pushing devices, wherein the at least three mirror-support devices contacting the mirror-side surface including at least one pushing device and at least one pulling device; positioning the mirror-support devices, between the mirror-side surface and the mounting structure, relative to each other and peripherally to the mirror so as to contact the mounting structure and to hold the mirror relative to the mounting structure; and allowing at least one of the pushing devices to exert a respective compressive stress to a respective first location on the mirror-side surface relative to the mounting structure, and allowing at least one of the pulling devices to exert a respective tensile stress on a respective second location on the mirror-side surface relative to the mounting structure.