The proposed solution to the problems associated with assembling optical
components introduces an angular alignment step and the use of collimated
optical beams to the assembly process. One embodiment of a method for
aligning optical components includes the steps of angularly aligning a
fiber subassembly and a laser subassembly to achieve a desired angular
position of the fiber subassembly relative to the laser subassembly,
transversely aligning the fiber subassembly and the laser subassembly to
achieve a desired linear position of the fiber subassembly relative to
the laser subassembly, while maintaining the desired angular position,
and installing an intermediate part configured to accommodate the desired
angular position and the desired linear position. The method also
includes the step of permanently assembling the fiber subassembly, the
laser subassembly and the intermediate part, while maintaining the
desired angular position and the desired linear position.