Optical element mounting technique

The present invention relates generally to mounting optical elements in optical modules and, more particularly, to technique for mounting an optical element to a structural element using an intermediate element. A technique for attaching an optical element to a structural element is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as an apparatus for attaching an optical element to a structural element. Such an apparatus may comprise an optical element formed of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion value, a structural element formed of a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion value, and an intermediate element formed of a material having a third coefficient of thermal expansion value that is between the first coefficient of thermal expansion value and the second coefficient of thermal expansion value. The intermediate element is disposed between the optical element and the structural element such that thermal stress between the optical element and the structural element are transferred to the intermediate element.