Pick and align — High precision active alignment of optical components

In this paper we present the development of a compact, thermo-optically stable and vibration and mechanical shock resistant mounting technique by soldering of optical components. Based on this technique, new generations of laser pump sources for aerospace applications are designed. In these laser systems the used soldering technique replaces the glued connection between the optical component and its join partner. The main challenges are the alignment accuracy in the arc second range and the realization of the long term stability of every single part in the laser system (e.g. resonator mirrors).