Patent ID: 8049976

Claim:
An optical part holding member to hold an optical part, wherein the optical part holding member is made of a silicon nitride ceramic base composite material that is produced through a process in which silicon and nitrogen are reacted to be nitrided, and silicone carbide and an iron compound are contained in the silicon nitride ceramic base composite material, wherein the iron compound contained in the silicon nitride ceramic base composite material is at least iron silicide, wherein the silicon nitride ceramic base composite material is obtained by: producing a mixed power by adding silicon carbide powder and iron oxide powder to silicon powder; and then degreasing a molded body produced by adding an organic binder; and causing silicon and nitrogen to be reacted in a nitrogen atmosphere, wherein, when the molded body is formed, silicon carbide of 20-50 mass % and iron oxide Fe 3 O 4 of 5-15 mass % are mixed to silicon to be molded.