Abstract: A portable electro-optical scanner for reading a target bar code having a plurality of bar code elements. The portable scanner includes: a housing supporting a scanning module and an optic system. The scanning module electro-optically scans the target bar code with a scanning beam and collects reflected light returning from the bar code. The scanning module includes a beam source emitting a scanning beam, beam directing apparatus causing the scanning beam to be repetitively scanned along a scanning plane intersecting the target bar code and photodetector circuitry receiving light from the target bar code. The optic system includes an exit window, a light collection lens and a reflective surface. The scanning beam passes through the exit window upon exiting the housing. The light collection lens receives reflected light from the target bar code and directing the reflected light toward a focal point. The focal point lying on the scanning plane of the scanning beam.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for viewing a target. A primary lens produces an image plane of the target, and an optical magnifier in an optical path of the primary lens magnifies a region of the image plane, providing a magnified image. A detector receives the magnified image.

Abstract: A display element having a plurality of pixel portions arranged two-dimensionally with a predetermined pixel pitch and a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses arranged two-dimensionally corresponding to the plurality of pixel portions on an incident side or an emission side of light with respect to the pixel portions, wherein, in the microlens array, each microlens has a lens surface of a hyperboloid of revolution, and a lens pitch of the plurality of microlenses is set to a pitch smaller than the lens pitch able to substantially equivalently maintain a converging efficiency of a lens of the hyperboloid of revolution and a lens of an ellipsoid of revolution with respect to the incident light and able to maintain a converging efficiency higher than the converging efficiency of the lens of the ellipsoid of revolution or wherein, in the microlens array, each microlens has a lens surface of a hyperboloid of revolution, and a lens pitch is 20 ?m or less; a display device; and a microlens array.

Abstract: An optical apparatus that can take an image at any inclination. Further, the optical apparatus is provided with a function that a user can know the inclination. A visual field frame having the same shape as an imaging unit is provided in a lens-barrel such that the visual field frame can rotate, being interlocked with rotation of the imaging unit. Further, the optical apparatus is provided with a function of detecting rotation of the imaging unit itself interlocked with rotation of the visual field frame and rotation of the imaging unit caused by rotation of the lens-barrel at the time of adjusting the pupil distance or the like. At recording, an image is recorded in an inclined state adapted for the rotation of the imaging unit. As a result, even if the imaging unit is inclined contrary to the user's will at the time of adjusting the pupil distance, the imaging unit can be returned to be horizontal by rotating the visual field frame.

Abstract: An optical imaging system for inspection microscopes with which lithography masks can be checked for defects particularly through emulation of high-aperture scanner systems. The microscope imaging system for emulating high-aperture imaging systems comprises imaging optics, a detector and an evaluating unit, wherein polarizing optical elements are selectively arranged in the illumination beam path for generating different polarization states of the illumination beam and/or in the imaging beam path for selecting different polarization components of the imaging beam, an optical element with a polarization-dependent intensity attenuation function can be introduced into the imaging beam path, images of the mask and/or sample are received by the detector for differently polarized beam components and are conveyed to the evaluating unit for further processing.

Abstract: A catadioptric optical system comprising a first imaging optical system including a concave mirror and forming an intermediate image of a first object, said first imaging optical system forming a reciprocating optical system that an incidence light and reflected light pass, a second imaging optical system for forming an image of the intermediate image onto a second object, and a first optical path deflective member, provided between the concave mirror and the intermediate image, for introducing a light from the first imaging optical system to the second imaging optical system, wherein said first optical path deflective member deflects a light in such a direction that a forward path of the first imaging optical system intersects a return path of the first imaging optical system, and wherein said intermediate image is formed without an optical element after a deflection.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image observation microscope system includes an imaging unit that captures images focused at different object point distances in an optical axis direction and a display unit that displays a plurality of the images captured by the imaging unit for overlaid observation along the line of sight of a viewer as a three-dimensional image. The imaging unit includes an objective optical system that obtains an image of an object, a zoom optical system that controls the magnification of the image obtained by the objective optical system, and a plurality of image pickup devices that capture the images with a magnification controlled by the zoom optical system. Specified conditions related to focal length, numerical apertures, inclinations, magnifications and distances within the imaging unit and the display unit are satisfied.

Abstract: An optical system is provided for creating a mosaic image of a large field of view through a microscope at fast refresh rates of about 25 Hz with a high resolution that is free of blurring or aberrations. The optical system includes an objective lens assembly (20), an iris (30), one or more scanning mirrors (40) for high-speed scanning, one or more imaging lenses and irises (50, 60, 80), and a high-speed imaging device (70) arranged in that order from an object. The optical system also includes a mechanism for processing and constructing scanned and captured images into a mosaic image.

Abstract: A microscope digital image acquiring system 1 includes a microscope 2 composed of a microscope unit 10 forming an enlarged image of an object O and a microscope controller 20 controlling movement of the microscope unit 10, an imaging instrument 3 composed of a camera head unit 30 that is attached to the microscope 2 and has an imaging device detecting the enlarged image of the object O and a camera controller 40 that receives a detected signal output from the imaging device and outputs image information of the object O. The microscope controller 20 and the camera controller 40 operate cooperatively in response to control commands sent externally. The system 1 has a connecting cable 52 connecting with both instruments 20 and 40 to carry out communication with each other. Both instruments 20 and 40 operate cooperatively by communicating control commands with each other through the connecting cable 52.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a microscope and an image processing apparatus using the illumination apparatus include a light source, a semi-transmissive mirror splitting a light beam from the light source into two beams of the first and second irradiation light, two excitation filters selecting the wavelengths of the first and second irradiation light, a semi-transmissive mirror synthesizing individual beams of the first and second irradiation light whose wavelengths are selected, into a single beam, a dichroic mirror directing a light beam synthesized by the semi-transmissive mirror toward a specimen and transmitting light from the specimen, an objective lens, cameras imaging fluorescent light from the specimen after being separated into fluorescent light excited by the first and second wavelengths, and an image processing section processing fluorescent images formed by imaging elements.

Abstract: A stereo-examination system for imaging an object 8 is proposed, comprising an objective arrangement 3 having an optical axis 5 and an object plane 7 for positioning the object 8 to be imaged, wherein the objective arrangement 3 receives an object-side beam bundle 11 emanating from the object plane 7 into a solid angle region 9 and converts the same into an image-side beam bundle 13, a selection arrangement for selecting at least a pair of partial beam bundles 19, 20 from the image-side beam bundle 13, and an image transmission apparatus 51, 52 for generating a representation of images of the object 8 provided by the partial beam bundles 19, 20.

Abstract: A binocular stereoscopic observation apparatus includes an imaging section forming left and right images with parallax in at least two directions and an observing section in which the images with parallax are stereoscopically observed with a viewer's eyes. In this case, the imaging section has an imaging lens forming images of an object at imaging positions on each of left and right optical paths and i imaging positions on the optical axis of the imaging lens, satisfying the following conditions: L(j?1)<Lj Ek=Lj?L(j?1) Dd<Ek where Lj is a distance, measured along the optical axis, from the imaging lens to the jth imaging position, Ek is a difference between distances, measured along the optical axis, from adjacent imaging positions to the imaging lens, and Dd is an image-side depth of an optical system of the imaging section.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for viewing microscopic images include transmitting tiled microscopic images from a server to a client. The client assembles the tiled images into a seamless virtual slide or specimen image and provides tools for manipulating image magnification and viewpoint. The method and apparatus also provides a virtual multi-headed microscope function which allows scattered viewers to simultaneously view and interact with a coherent magnified microscopic image.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a microscope and an image processing apparatus using the illumination apparatus include a light source, a semi-transmissive mirror splitting a light beam from the light source into two beams of the first and second irradiation light, two excitation filters selecting the wavelengths of the first and second irradiation light, a semi-transmissive mirror synthesizing individual beams of the first and second irradiation light whose wavelengths are selected, into a single beam, a dichroic mirror directing a light beam synthesized by the semi-transmissive mirror toward a specimen and transmitting light from the specimen, an objective lens, cameras imaging fluorescent light from the specimen after being separated into fluorescent light excited by the first and second wavelengths, and an image processing section processing fluorescent images formed by imaging elements.

Abstract: A microscope includes an optical element provided with an anti-reflection film applied thereto. The anti-reflection film has the following layered structure: having first to sixth layers of films, in order from the surface of the optical element, formed of a high-refractive-index material for each of the first, third and fifth layers, a low-refractive-index material or a middle-refractive-index material for each of the second and fourth layers, and a low-refractive-index material for the sixth layer, with a range of the optical film-thickness nd of each layer in reference to the design wavelength ? being “(0.13˜0.35)×?/4” for the first layer, “(0.18˜0.75)×?/4” for the second layer, “(0.28˜2.31)×?/4” for the third layer, “(0.26˜0.92)×?/4” for the fourth layer, “(0.20˜0.37)×?/4” for the fifth layer, and “(1.09˜1.18)×?/4” for the sixth layer.

Abstract: An optical microscope system includes: a removable optical element; a capture unit for obtaining an image; a detection unit for detecting first location information indicating the location of a predetermined point in the image captured through the optical element and second location information indicating the location of a point corresponding to the predetermined point in the image captured without the optical element; a calculation unit for calculating the relative amount of displacement between the first location information and the second location information detected by the detection unit; and a movement control unit for moving the capture unit based on the amount of the displacement calculated by the calculation unit.

Abstract: A microscope includes an optical element provided with an anti-reflection film applied thereto. The anti-reflection film has the following layered structure: having first to sixth layers of films, in order from the surface of the optical element, formed of a high-refractive-index material for each of the first, third and fifth layers, a low-refractive-index material or a middle-refractive-index material for each of the second and fourth layers, and a low-refractive-index material for the sixth layer, with a range of the optical film-thickness nd of each layer in reference to the design wavelength ? being “(0.13˜0.35)×?/4” for the first layer, “(0.18˜0.75)×?/4” for the second layer, “(0.28˜2.31)×?/4” for the third layer, “(0.26˜0.92)×?/4” for the fourth layer, “(0.20˜0.37)×?/4” for the fifth layer, and “(1.09˜1.18)×?/4” for the sixth layer.

Abstract: Electronic binoculars comprise an imaging unit, an image-signal processing unit, and first and second ocular units. First and second optical images, obtained by the optical system, are converted to first and second electric signals, due to imaging operations of the first and second imaging devices. The imaging operations of the first and second imaging devices are simultaneously started, and ended at different times. The image-signal processing unit superimposes the first and second electric signals to generate a third electric signal. The first and second ocular units indicate object images based on the third electric signal.

Abstract: A device for optically capturing objects has a support surface (1) for an object, a light source (4) and a capturing means (5) for capturing the positioned object and for converting the image of the captured object into electrical signals. The light source (4) and the capturing means (5) are each arranged in a specific position relative to the support surface (1). The support surface (1) has a section (6) provided with a curvature determined by the two positions. Said section is arranged so that illuminating beams (2, 3) emitted by the light source can be reflected by the support surface (1) in the direction of the capturing means 5 substantially only in a diffuse manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for acquiring stereoscopic images comprising a primary mirror (1) or a near-parabolic mirror, a secondary mirror (2) located on the primary mirror optical axis between said primary mirror and its focal point, tertiary reflecting means (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 7a, 7b, 8) arranged relative to the primary mirror on the side opposite the secondary mirror reflecting along two directions different from that of the primary mirror optical axis the optical beams received by the primary mirror along two specific directions of incidence, the primary mirror being capable of being traversed by the tertiary beams, said tertiary reflecting means comprising means for focusing the optical beams which they receive along said two directions onto image acquisition means.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object onto an image plane. An optical arrangement forms an intermediate image of the object at an intermediate plane with a first value of axial resolution. The imaging system also includes a digital processor configured to process the intermediate image to form a final image of the object. The imaging system further includes a specially designed optical element that cooperates with the optical arrangement and the digital processor to define a second value of axial resolution that is greater than the first value.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that it is possible to provide a three-dimensional confocal microscope system configured so that an objective lens can be scanned in the optical-axis direction using an actuator to obtain sliced confocal images of a sample, wherein the actuator is driven using a scanning waveform signal, which is triangular or step-like and has been corrected so that acceleration is kept virtually constant at discontinuous points of change in the scanning waveform signal, thereby consistently providing sliced confocal images of the sample.

Abstract: An imaging device (30) can include a plurality of lenses (51, 52, 53, 54) mounted on a multi-dimensional support structure (32), a plurality of optical detectors (40) corresponding to the plurality of lenses for capturing an optical signal from at least two lenses among the plurality of lenses, and a processor (34) for combining the optical signal from at least two lenses to form an image and electronically controlling the field of view and a resolution of the image. The plurality of lenses each can include an array of sub-wavelength apertures or a plurality of photon sieve lenses (36).

Abstract: A binocular device includes two observation optical systems, an additional optical system, and a viewfinder for the additional optical system. An image-capturing unit is movable between a first image-plane position of one of the observation optical systems and an image-plane position of the additional optical system by shifting a lens-switching lever. A switch of the image-capturing unit can be turned on and off by a camera switch lever. For an observation mode using the observation optical system, the image-capturing unit is set at the image-plane position of the additional optical system. For an image-capturing mode using the observation optical system, the image-capturing unit is set at the first image-plane position such that the switch of the image-capturing unit is turned on. For image-capturing using the additional optical system, the image-capturing unit is set at the image-plane position of the additional optical system such that the switch of the image-capturing unit is turned on.

Abstract: In a microscope, an optical system that includes a zoom lens unit having a straight optical axis is located under a stage portion that carries a sample A thereon. An optical image of the sample A is projected on an image-pickup element via the optical system, and is converted into a picture signal by means of the image-pickup element. The picture signal is delivered to the outside through an external terminal area.

Abstract: A binocular device arranged to enable images recorded by an image recording unit to be reproduced and checked on the site without using a reproduction device provided separately from the binocular device. The binocular device has an image pickup unit for obtaining an image formed from observation light at a first image plane position in one of two observation optical systems, and a display unit for displaying at a focal plane position in an ocular optical system of the other observation optical system the image obtained by the image pickup unit. The image obtained by the image pickup unit can be checked through the display unit on the site immediately after being obtained.

Abstract: A single sensor that can operate in multiple bands and display either one radiation band alone or multiple overlaid bands, using an appropriate color choice to distinguish the bands. The multiple-band sensor allows the user to look through at least one eyepiece and with the use of a switch, see scenes formed via the human eye under visible light, an II sensor, an MWIR sensor, or an LWIR sensor, either individually or superimposed. The device is equipped with multiple switching mechanisms. The first, for allowing the user to select between radiation bands and overlays, and the second, as with most thermal imaging sensors, for allowing the user to switch between “white-hot/black-hot” i.e., a polarity switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional image display device capable of reproducing clear, deviation-free and distortion-free three-dimensional images generated by a three-dimensional generating method. The three-dimensional image display device 4 comprises a lens array 1 having the predetermined number of convex lenses arranged in a matrix; and image display means for displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images 3 corresponding to the respective convex lenses. The same lens array 1 is employed in the three-dimensional display device as the lens array employed for generating the two-dimensional images.

Abstract: An endoscope optical system is capable of obtaining favorable endoscopic images at all times by overcoming the conventional disadvantages that diagnosis is hindered by image quality disturbance due to the increase in pixel density resulting from the reduction in pixel pitch of solid-state image pickup devices and also due to the conventional arrangement of an objective front optical element in an optical system having a short focal length or in an optical system having a large F-number. In an image pickup apparatus using a monochromatic high-density solid-state image pickup device in which the average pixel pitch (H+V)/2 of the pixel pitch H in the horizontal direction and the pixel pitch V in the vertical direction with respect to the monitor scanning line is not more than 4.65 ?m, or using an interline type color high-density solid-state image pickup device in which the average pixel pitch (H+V)/2 is not more than 3.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens frame for supporting a photographing lens group, the lens frame including a guide bore which extends in a direction parallel to the optical axis; a support barrel, wherein the lens frame can be inserted into and removed from a front opening of the support barrel; a rod receiving portion formed inside the support barrel; a bracket detachably attached to a front end of the support barrel; and a guide rod provided on the bracket for guiding the lens frame to move relative to the support barrel in the optical axis direction, the guide rod engaging with the rod receiving portion when the bracket is attached to the support barrel. The lens group frame can be taken out of the support barrel through the front opening when the bracket having the guide rods is removed from the support barrel.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a microscope system comprising an illuminating portion which illuminates a subject, an image forming lens which projects the subject illuminated by the illuminating portion onto an image pickup element, a light adjustment portion which adjusts a light amount of the illuminating portion, a zoom mechanism which changes a magnification of a subject image projected onto the image pickup element by the image forming lens, and a control portion which changes an excitement pulse width into the illuminating portion in synchronization with a driving pulse of the image pickup element in response to adjustment by the light adjustment portion to control the light amount of illumination light and which varies the excitement pulse width in accordance with the change of the magnification by the zoom mechanism.

Abstract: The invention enables construction of a microscope that has one or more advantageous characteristics as compared to previous microscopes. The microscope can be small and lightweight and, in particular, sufficiently small and light weight to be portable (e.g., smaller and far lighter than probe station microscopes used for microscopic liquid crystal analysis of a semiconductor device). The microscope can include a small and lightweight bellows that provides zoom capability. The microscope and/or a tripod that is used with the microscope can be implemented to provide objective lens position control capability (with any number of translational and/or rotational degrees of freedom). The microscope can include apparatus for ejecting a hot gas from the microscope to heat a specimen being observed with the microscope.

Abstract: In a microscope, an optical system that includes a zoom lens unit having a straight optical axis is located under a stage portion that carries a sample A thereon. An optical image of the sample A is projected on an image-pickup element via the optical system, and is converted into a picture signal by means of the image-pickup element. The picture signal is delivered to the outside through an external terminal area.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microscope having a basic body on or in which are arranged at least one microscope objective, at least one eyepiece, and at least one beam splitter that is provided in the beam path between the microscope objective and the eyepiece and that reflects a portion of the light out of the beam path to the eyepiece or reflects images into the beam path going to the eyepiece.

Abstract: Electronic binoculars are provided that comprise an imaging unit, a first binocular unit, a second binocular unit, and a mode selector. The imaging unit captures an image of an object. The first binocular unit comprises a first ocular unit through which the object is observed based on signals from the imaging unit. The second binocular unit comprises a second ocular unit through which the object is observed based on signals from the imaging unit. The mode selector selects at least one of first and second modes. The first mode fully supplies electricity to each of the first and second binocular units. The second mode at least partially suspends the electricity supply to the second binocular unit.

Abstract: A fixture and method is provided for aligning optical elements in a microscope. The fixture attaches to an objective lens plane of the microscope and supports an alignment optical element. During optical component alignment, an alignment beam is directed along the illumination and imaging paths of the microscope through the objective lens port and into the fixture for reflection by the alignment optical element. The fixture allows an alignment optical element positioned in a single location to be used for aligning the microscope components and for adjusting the microscope objective lens.

Abstract: An enhanced resolution scanned image of an object is produced by a scanning laser microscope which includes an illumination arm for scanning an object with a focused probe beam and a detection arm for receiving light from the object. The detection arm includes a detector which collects and detects light from the object to produce pixel data for a plurality of pixels. In addition, the detection arm includes a wavefront sensor for sensing phase variations of the light from the object to produce wavefront data for scanned pixel locations. From the wavefront shape of the collected light at each pixel location, a high frequency spectrum is determined which corresponds to uncollected scattered light from small scale features of that pixel location. An enhanced resolution image of a region of interest is produced based on the high frequency spectra of the scanned pixel locations.

Abstract: A microscope device includes a support member which supports a specimen, a first optical system which generates an image of a partial region upon the specimen, a second optical system which generates an overall image of the specimen, an imaging device which photoelectrically detects the images which are generated by the first optical system and by the second optical system, and a changeover mechanism which changes over between a first path from the specimen via the first optical system to the imaging device and a second optical path from the specimen via the second optical system to the imaging device. The support member, the first optical system, the second optical system, the imaging device, and the changeover mechanism are all housed within a case of the microscope device.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical instrument having at least one binocular viewing port, in which in the two channels of at least one binocular beam path there are provided beam splitters that make it possible to reflect a portion of the beam path out onto an imaging device or the like, and to reflect into the respective channel, toward the viewing port, data or images that have been made available.

Abstract: An illumination system for microscopic digital montage imaging based on a pulsed light illumination source triggered by the position of a specimen with respect to the optical axis of the microscope. The strobe illumination is used to facilitate high-speed tiled (montage) image capture of otherwise static specimens with higher throughput and significantly reduced mechanical precision requirements and cost. The invention allows for perfectly aligned montage tiles at high throughputs using standard microscope optics, having camera frame rate be the limiting factor in microscopic tiled image capture.

Abstract: An electronic camera for a microscope includes an imaging element for imaging an optical image split by an optical path split prism, a signal processing section for processing an imaging signal output from the imaging element, a memory section for recording image data based on the imaging signal processed by the signal processing section, an LCD monitor located near the eyepiece lens for displaying the image based on the imaging signal processed by the signal processing section, and a casing integrally containing all of the imaging element, the signal processing section, the memory section, and the LCD monitor.

Abstract: A viewing apparatus with a photographing function, includes a viewing optical system by which an image of an object, formed by a positive objective optical system, is viewed though a positive eyepiece optical system, and a photographing optical system which is provided independently from the viewing optical system. The photographing optical system covers substantially the same field of view as that of the viewing optical system. The viewing apparatus satisfies the following condition: 0.1<ft/fo<0.7  (1) wherein ft designates the focal length of the photographing optical system, and fo designates the focal length of the objective optical system of the viewing optical system.

Abstract: An inverted microscope comprises an image output port that forms an image of an observation sample to the external surface facing to an observer, at the front side of a microscope main body, below an observation tube to which eyepieces are attached, and photographing devices configured that one of at least two kinds of photographing devices is selectively attachable/detachable to the image output port.

Abstract: An inverted microscope having a U-shaped microscope housing (1), on one limb (2) whereof is provided a horizontal changing surface (3) for optomechanical adaptation of a module, wherein the module (4) comprises a horizontally protruding base unit (5) having on the one hand a binocular tube (6) placed thereon, and on the other hand a photo tube (7), with photo device (8), placed thereon.

Abstract: A scanning laser microscope includes a laser generation unit which generates a laser beam, a light modulation unit which modulates the laser beam, a scanning unit which scans a sample, a light receiving unit which receives a light from the sample, a control unit which controls the light modulation unit for each pixel of a scanning image acquired by the light receiving of the light receiving unit, and a storage unit which stores a plurality of controlled patterns. The number of pixels of the patterns correspond to the number of pixels of the scanned image. A modulation information of the laser beam is set for each pixel. The control unit reads the control patterns stored in the storage unit, controls the light modulation unit based on the modulation information of each pixel, and performs such control that the control patterns are changed at an arbitrary timing.

Abstract: There is provided a three-dimensional object observing microscope which can easily observe a three-dimensional object in a three-dimensional manner. A three-dimensional object observing microscope comprising a table on which a three-dimensional object is placed, an imaging part which consists of an imaging lens and an imaging camera for imaging this three-dimensional object from an inclined upper position, and a casing which supports the imaging part rotatably in a horizontal direction and also integrally supports the table and the imaging part.

Abstract: An eyepiece optical system is interposed between the positions of an intermediate image and a pupil in a finder and includes, in order from the intermediate-image side, a first lens unit having a negative lens located at the most intermediate-image-side position and a second lens unit provided with a path-bending optical member and having positive power as a whole, satisfying the following condition:

Abstract: A terrestrial telescope with a digital camera has a TTL light-measurement system for controlling the exposure. For this the imaging element for taking pictures is used to determine exposure control data in response to the first shutter operation. The exposure control data thus determined is used as a basis for controlling the following sequential picture-taking/recording processing in a speed mode until it is cancelled. The camera is able to take pictures in a continuous sequence in which the interval between pictures is very short.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting system for mounting a camera, or other similar devices, for afocal photographic viewing through a telescope eyepiece providing an attachment for the telescope which allows attachment of the telescope eyepiece and a yoke which locks and supports a supporting rail along which is mounted a camera platform which is designed to be adjustable to bring the camera or other light receptor device into axial alignment with the eyepiece of the telescope quickly and to hold the device in fixed axial alignment. The invention permits adjustment with four aspects: lateral perpendicular mutually exclusive movement in two axes to the optical axis; longitudinal movement along the optical axis; and tilting or pivoting movement in one of the two lateral perpendicular axes.

Abstract: A confocal microscope apparatus includes a disk scanner for scanning a specimen with a laser beam, and camera main body for photographing a still image. An exposure time calculation circuit is arranged to generates an exposure time signal for the camera main body. A rotation sensor, a scan track start point/end point determination circuit, and a rotation period calculation circuit are arranged to generate a rotational period signal for the disk scanner. A comparator compares the exposure time signal with the rotational period signal, so that a motor controller and a motor driver control rotation of a motor of the disk scanner by a comparison output from the comparator.