There is provided an optical component. The optical component includes a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion α, where the coefficient of thermal expansion is dependent on location. The following applies to the location-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion: α= α±Δα, with Δα being the maximum deviation of the coefficient of thermal expansion from the mean value of the coefficient of thermal expansion α of the material. The following homogeneity condition applies to the material:  Δα  ≤ ( 0.14 + 0.1 · x + 390 x ) · ɛ _ Q .  with the progress of the lacation-dependent progress of the coefficient of thermal expansion being periodical with a wavelength x given in mm, and the thermal output which is absorbed by the optical component being designated by Q given in watts (W), the resulting emissivity being designated by ε, and |Δα|in units of ppb K .