A stage positioning system and method for aligning optical components
according to a figure of merit is disclosed. The system includes a stage
assembly having six axes of freedom wherein the pivot point of the stage
assembly motion is user definable and preferably outside the envelope
formed by the stage assembly. The stage assembly includes three
sub-assemblies. A base sub-assembly provides x and z axes motion, a yaw
stage provides yaw about the y axis, and a three-axis stage provides y
motion as well as pitch and roll about the x and z axes, respectively.