MOUNTING PLATFORM FOR OPTICAL SYSTEM

There is provided an improved mounting platform for supporting an optical system required to be precisely aligned. Alignment is required to focus a high-power laser beam on a target in a temperature variable environment that introduces thermal stresses affecting alignment. The platform 30 is a honeycomb structure comprising a core 50 sandwiched between a top plate 52 and bottom plate 54. A high-power laser optical system 12 is mounted on the top plate 52 of the platform 30. The metal enclosure 32 having top and bottom walls 34 and 36 and side walls 38, 40, 42 and 44 respectively encloses the platform 30. The platform 30 is secured to a base table 60 by means of one or more anchor assemblies 62. They are affixed to the bottom plate 54. The anchor assemblies include resilient flexure rings 70 that are received in apertures 64 cut in the bottom wall 36 of the enclosure 32. This permits movement of the enclosure due to portions of it undergoing expansion or contraction as a result of the scattering of laser energy inside the enclosure. The anchors isolate top plate 52 against movement of the enclosure. The inside walls of the enclosure are treated to preferentially absorb the radiant energy and the platform 30 is constructed of highly reflective materials to reduce absorption of the radiation.