Patent ID: 7692883
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical element fixing structure comprising: an optical element having a front surface, a back surface spaced from the front surface such that an element thickness is at least partially defined therebetween, an outer peripheral edge extending between the front and back surfaces, and at least one slit spaced inwardly from the outer peripheral edge and outwardly of a working portion of the optical element that is formed inwardly of the at least one slit such that a fixing portion of the optical element is formed between the at least one slit and the outer peripheral edge, the at least one slit extending into the optical element in an approximate direction of the element thickness from along one of the front and back surfaces to a depth that is less than the element thickness such that the working portion and the fixing portion remain at least partially connected with one another; and, an optical element holder to fix and mount the optical element, the optical element holder including an inner circumferential surface and depressing means for fixing the optical element by depressing at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the optical element along the fixing portion outside the at least one slit such that an area of the other one of the front surface and the back surface outside the at least one slit is fixed against the inner circumferential surface and thereby reducing the propagation of depression-induced strain in the working portion of the optical element.