Patent ID: 7345834
Filing Date: 2008-03-18
Classification: G02B,G03F

Abstract:
1. A holding apparatus for holding an optical element, said apparatus comprising: a ring-like inner holding member disposed at an outer periphery of the optical element and including a pair of pieces configured to contact and to support the optical element, said pair of pieces being disposed opposite to each other; three connection members arranged at 120-degree pitches; a ring-like outer holding member disposed at an outer periphery of said inner holding member and configured to hold said inner holding member via said plurality of connection members; and a pair of driving units and a pair of contact members, said pair of driving units arranged on said inner holding member and configured to support the optical element, wherein each of said pair of driving units includes an actuator and a contact member of said pair of contact members configured to contact and to support the optical element, and is configured to drive said contact member relative to said inner holding member by said actuator to change a load applied from the optical element to said contact member, said pair of contact members being disposed opposite to each other, wherein said pair of pieces and said pair of contact members are arranged at 90-degree pitches, and said three connection members are arranged between said inner holding member and said outer holding member and symmetrically with respect to a line that connects said pair of contact members with each other.