Holding device for an optical element

Abstract

A holding device for an optical element, is formed at least in part, of a silicon-containing aluminum material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A holding device for an optical element, said holding device, comprising: at least one member formed of a silicon-containing aluminum material.  
     
     
         2 . A holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the silicon content of said silicon-containing aluminum material is selected in such a way that the thermal expansion coefficient of said silicon-containing aluminum material is matched to the thermal expansion coefficient of the optical element.  
     
     
         3 . A holding device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the optical element comprises at least one of: a lens, a plain plate, a mirror, and a prism.  
     
     
         4 . A holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, said member comprises at least a portion of a lens mount.  
     
     
         5 . A holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, said member comprises at least a portion of an objective housing.  
     
     
         6 . A holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, the silicon content of said aluminum material is more than 15% by weight.  
     
     
         7 . A holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the silicon content of said aluminum material is more than 30% by weight or more than 40% by weight.  
     
     
         8 . A holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , said material is a material which, at a temperature in the region of 21° C., has a coefficient of thermal expansion α≦24*10 −6 K −1  at a density of ρ≦7.5 g/cm 3 .  
     
     
         9 . A holding device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said member comprises a part of an aerial picture camera.