Abstract: Fluorescence is generated from an irradiated point on an inspection surface of a sample and the fluorescence is collected by an objective lens. Here, because of the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens, the fluorescence going out from the objective lens travels along a path shifted from the irradiation light and changed substantially into a non-scan light by a galvano-scanner. The fluorescence passes through a dichroic mirror into a plane-parallel plate after light of unnecessary wavelength is removed by a filter. The plane-parallel plate is driven in synchronization with the galvano-scanner by a computer and corrects the shift and inclination of the optical axis generated by the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens. Then, the fluorescence forms an image of the irradiation point of the inspection surface of the sample on a pin hole of a pin hole plate by using a collective lens.

Abstract: Method for actuation control of a microscope, in particular of a Laser Scanning Microscope, in which, at least one first illumination light, preferably moving at least in one direction, as well as at least one second illumination light moving at least in one direction, illuminate a sample through a beam combiner, a detection of the light coming from the sample takes place, whereby, at least one part of the illumination light is generated through the splitting of the light from a common illuminating unit, characterized in that, by means of a common control unit, a controlled splitting into the first and the second illumination light takes place, in which the intensity of the first illuminating light, specified by the user or specified automatically, is assigned a higher priority (is prioritized) compared to the specified value for the second illumination light, and an adjustment for the second illumination light takes place until a maximum value is obtained, which is determined by the value specified for the f

Abstract: A filter wheel assembly includes a filter wheel and an optical assembly. The filter wheel includes a plurality of viewing openings. The optical assembly includes an optical element secured within an aperture of a housing. The optical assembly is securable to the filter wheel at a viewing opening by a magnetic force. An optical apparatus includes an optical assembly receiver and first and second optical assemblies. The first optical assembly is securable to the optical assembly receiver and the second optical assembly is securable to the first optical assembly by a magnetic force to align the optical assembly receiver and the optical assemblies. Methods of aligning apertures of optical assemblies with viewing openings of a filter wheel or an optical assembly receiver and securing the optical assemblies to the filter wheel or the optical assembly receiver using a magnetic force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slit-scan multi-wavelength confocal lens module, utilizing at least two lenses having chromatic aberration for splitting a broadband light into continuously linear spectral lights having different focal length respectively. The present invention utilizes the confocal lens module employing slit-scan confocal principle and chromatic dispersion techniques and the confocal microscopy with optical sectioning ability and high resolution in spectral dispersion to establish a confocal microscopy method and system with long DOF and high resolution, capable of modulating a broadband light to produce the axial chromatic dispersion and focus on different depths toward an object's surface for obtaining the reflected light spectrum from the surface.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present invention relates to an imaging system 100 for enhancing microscopic images of unstained cells. The imaging system 100 comprises a light source 102 for producing light 120a, a sample holder 109 for containing cells to be imaged, a condenser 104 for focussing the light 120b at a focal plane within the sample holder 109 on the cells to be imaged, a translation mechanism for moving the focal plane of the light 120b relative to the sample holder 109 and a detector system 112 configured to acquire a plurality of images at respective focal planes within the sample holder 109 and process the plurality of images to provide an enhanced processed imaged.

Abstract: In an automated scanning cytometry system, chromatic aberration is used for multiplanar image acquisition.

Abstract: A digital microscope system, having one or several objectives, a tube lens system, a digital image recording device, a stand, a holder for a specimen and an illuminating apparatus, and optionally at least one magnification changer. One or several objectives, the tube lens system, the digital image recording device and the illuminating apparatus are integrated into a compact optical assembly, and the optical assembly is joinable to the stand in several versions that differ with regard to the spatial position and orientation of the optical assembly relative to the stand and to the specimen. The spatial position and orientation of the optical assembly relative to the stand and to the specimen may correspond, in a first version of the joining, to an upright microscope configuration and, in a second version of the joining, to an inverted microscope configuration.

Abstract: An inverted microscope includes: a microscope main body; a stage that is supported by the microscope main body; and an observation optical system that allows observing a sample placed on the stage from underneath, the microscope main body, in which an optical device can be attached between an objective lens and a tube lens which constitute the observation optical system including a plurality of stage supporting parts that support the stage; and a beam part that connects, in a manner of locating between the tube lens and the objective lens, at least a pair of stage supporting parts at front and back sides together among the plurality of stage supporting parts.

Abstract: An optical device with a first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly has: an input lens for collimating illuminating light, the input lens having an optical axis, an output lens for focusing collimated light received from a sample, the output lens having an optical axis which is offset and substantially parallel with the optical axis of the input lens, and a first support piece which houses and supports the input lens and the output lens. The second sub-assembly has: an input filter for filtering the collimated illuminating light, an output filter for filtering the collimated light received from the sample, and a second support piece which houses and supports the input filter and the output filter. The first and second support pieces are joined together by a liquid-tight joint.

Abstract: Systems and methods for attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy. The systems and methods may generally involve differentiating an acquired image in a spectral domain, restricting a spectral range of the acquired image, subtracting an average absorbance from the restricted image data, and applying a principal component analysis to extract significant spectral features from the restricted image data.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a culture unit for holding and cultivating a specimen while maintaining constant temperature and humidity; a stage for holding the culture unit; a first light-converging optical system for converging illumination light emitted from a light source on the specimen; a second light-converging optical system for converging transmitted light that has passed through the specimen; a transmitted-light pinhole provided at a position optically conjugate to the light-converging position of illumination light on the specimen to cut off part of transmitted light converged by the second light-converging optical system; a transmitted-light detector that detects transmitted light that has passed through the transmitted-light pinhole; a moving system for moving the first and second light-converging optical systems, the transmitted-light pinhole, and the transmitted-light detector and the stage relative to each other; a housing that encloses these components and cuts off external light; and a contro

Abstract: An improved microscope stage mount with built-in fiduciary markers is used for fluorescence microscopy, and comprises: (a) an optically-transparent glass plate adapted for specimen mounting and microscope viewing and comprising a specimen mounting area; and (b) a defined and ordered, two-dimensional microscopic array of fiduciary markers, wherein the markers are polymeric pillars affixed to the plate about the specimen mounting area, wherein the markers provide a three-dimensional spatial reference for the specimen.

Abstract: It is possible to generate image data of a biological tissue in a short time. A focus information generating device (2) receives a first reflected light beam (Lr1) split from a reflected light beam (Lr) and a second reflected light beam (Lr2) passing through a pin-hole plate (36). A signal processing unit (13) calculates a uniform reflectance (RE) representing a light amount ratio of the second reflected light beam (Lr2) to the first reflected light beam (Lr1) along with a sum signal (SS) and a difference signal (SD). An integrated control unit (11) detects a position (Z1) corresponding to a top surface (104A) of a cover glass (104) on the basis of the sum signal (SS) and the difference signal (SD) and detects a position (Z3) representing a biological tissue (102) on the basis of the sum signal (SS) and the uniform reflectance (RE).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical imaging device, in particular for microscopy, with a first optical element group and a second optical element group, wherein the first optical element group and the second optical element group, on an image plane, form an image of an object point of an object plane via at least one imaging ray having an imaging ray path. The first optical element group comprises a first optical element with a reflective first optical surface in the imaging ray path and a second optical element with a reflective second optical surface in the imaging ray path, wherein the first optical surface is concave. The second optical element group comprises a third optical element with a concave reflective third optical surface in the imaging ray path and a fourth optical element with a convex reflective fourth optical surface in the imaging ray path without light passage aperture.

Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope for examining microscopic and macroscopic objects is described. The microscope comprises: a scanning optical system having optical elements imaging the light generated by a laser onto an object to be examined; an objective provided in a working distance of at least 0.4 inches from an object holder; and a zoom optical system that is connected to the scanning optical system such that the light generated by the laser passes first through the scanning optical system, then through the zoom optical system, and is then imaged through the objective onto the object. This microscope achieves that also macroscopic objects can be viewed at a high resolution.

Abstract: Microscope, particularly laser scanning microscope, for optical detection of light radiation excited in a specimen, having a detection beam path for detecting spectral components of the light radiation in a plurality of detection channels, wherein the light radiation arrives at a variable longpass filter or shortpass filter from which reflected and/or transmitted components are reflected back with a parallel offset, and the latter arrive at a detector after at least one back-reflection of this kind.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope includes a culture vessel that accommodates a specimen and is capable of maintaining an interior temperature and humidity thereof, and an optical system space adjacent and optically connected to the culture vessel. The optical system space includes a scanner that two-dimensionally scans ultrashort pulsed laser light across the specimen; an objective lens that focuses the scanned ultrashort pulsed laser light on the specimen and collects light coming from the specimen; a dichroic mirror, disposed between the scanner and the objective lens, that splits off the light coming from the specimen from the laser light; a photodetector that detects the split-off light coming from the specimen; and an outer cover, provided so as to surround the optical system space, that blocks light coming from outside the optical system space.

Abstract: In a microscope controller by which is performed an operation for controlling an operation of each of a plurality of electric units included in a microscope system, the control unit establishes a plurality of functional areas in the display region of the touch panel as regions for making operable the plurality of electric units. When an input to any of the functional areas is detected, the control unit generates a control instruction signal for controlling an electric unit corresponding to this functional area. The communication control unit transmits the control instruction signal to an external device controlling an operation of a corresponding electric unit. When an input to a predetermined functional area is detected, the control unit then reestablishes a plurality of functional areas within the display region of the touch panel so as to enlarge this functional area or a plurality of specific functional areas including this functional area.

Abstract: A microscope system improves the operability of a user in performing a microscope observation. The microscope system attains the improvement by including: a microscope apparatus including a plurality of drive units; a display unit for displaying an operation screen for operation of the microscope apparatus; a pointing device for inputting by a pointer an operation instruction to the microscope apparatus on the operation screen; and a control unit for switching the drive units depending on the position of the pointer on the operation screen, and controlling the operation of the switched drive units depending on the operation of the pointing device.

Abstract: Methods and a module for use with a microscope for enhancing image contrast in an image of a phase object. A transmission image of a specimen is formed in an image plane, of which a Fourier transform is generated in a Fourier plane. An amplitude filter is applied to the Fourier transform field, which is then transformed back to an image at a focal plane of a detector array. An image signal from the detector array is processed to generate a contrast-enhanced image of the specimen.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively connecting an accessory item to a surgical microscope includes a center pivot. An adapter arm includes an adapter support having a substantially planar support body which extends laterally in an outboard direction from the center pivot and has laterally spaced inboard and outboard support regions separated by a laterally oriented centerline. The adapter arm is configured to accept at least a portion of the accessory item in a supporting relationship. An undermount adapter includes a substantially planar undermount body having laterally spaced inboard and outboard body regions separated by a laterally oriented centerline. A plurality of microscope attachment throughholes each throughhole extend through the undermount body. Each throughhole is configured to accept a fastener for securement of the undermount adapter to the surgical microscope. An arm receiver is configured to accept the adapter tongue of the adapter arm in a supporting relationship.

Abstract: Where a multimode fiber is used for light delivery in a microscope system and a transverse distribution of light exiting a distal end of the fiber is substantially uniform, the distal end is imaged onto a plane of a sample to be probed by the microscope system, or at a conjugate plane. Alternatively, the distal end is imaged onto a plane sufficiently close to the sample plane or the conjugate plane such that a radiant intensity of light at the sample plane or the conjugate plane is substantially uniform. In the case of a multi-focal confocal microscope system, the distal end of the multimode fiber is imaged onto a plane of a segmented focusing array. Alternatively the distal end is imaged onto a plane sufficiently close to the segmented focusing array plane such that a radiant intensity of the light at the segmented focusing array plane is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A device for shifting the imaging axis of a microscope for inspecting endfaces of a fiber-optic connector having multiple rows of endfaces has a supporting body for receiving a microscope; a first swinging lever mounted on top of the supporting body and rotatable about a first swinging axis perpendicular to the imaging axis of the microscope; a first connecting piece extending from the first swinging lever towards the imaging axis; a second swinging lever pivoted on the first connecting piece and rotatable about a second swinging axis perpendicular to the first swinging axis; and a fitting tip connected to the second swinging lever for interfacing with the fiber-optic connector. Using two sets of biasing means and adjustment drivers, the imaging axis passing through the supporting body and the fitting tip can be shifted in two mutually perpendicular directions to selectively align with any endface of the fiber-optic connector.

Abstract: Three or more devices can be connected to a microscope and can be used simultaneously. Provided is a microscope connecting unit including a microscope connection port that is connected to a microscope used to observe a sample; three or more unit connection ports to which a stimulating unit that irradiates the sample with light or a confocal observation unit or an image capturing unit that detects light generated at the sample is connectable; and two or more light-path combining units that are disposed between the microscope connecting port and the unit connection ports and that combine light paths optically connecting the microscope with the confocal observation unit, the stimulating unit, and the image capturing unit.

Abstract: A surgical microscope for observing an infrared fluorescence includes a camera system 25 having three chips, wherein infrared light emanating from an object is supplied to only one of the three camera chips via a dichroic beam splitter.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor unit including an optical system forming an optical image of an object placed on a stage part and plural image sensors each of which captures part of the optical image, a drive mechanism relatively moving the stage part and the image sensor unit, and a processing part causing the image sensor unit to perform plural image capturing operations with causing the drive mechanism to relatively move the stage part and the image sensor unit after each image capturing operation, and combining the plural captured images to produce a whole image covering the whole image capturing area. The plural image sensors are arranged such that an effective diameter of the optical system necessary to introduce light from the stage part to all the plural image sensors is smaller than a diameter of a circle circumscribed to the whole image capturing area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microscope tube comprising at least three tube parts (31, 32, 33) and at least two rotary joints (2, 3, 4, 5), for providing a rotation capability of the tube parts (31, 32, 33) with respect to one another and around rotation axes (10, 11, 28) extending at least in part not parallel to one another, having a brake (7) for locking one of the rotary joints (3), at least one further of the rotary joints (2, 4, 5) being lockable by a coupling element (27, 37) impingeable upon by the brake (7), the coupling element (27, 37) including an angle linkage.

Abstract: A microscope including an objective, which images a sample along a microscope beam path, and an autofocus device, which is coupled into the microscope beam path via a beam splitter at a location behind the objective. A light modulator for generating a two-dimensional, intensity-modulated modulation object, is located in the autofocus beam path in a plane conjugated to the focal plane of the objective or intersects the latter and is imaged into the focal plane of the objective. A camera records a two-dimensional image onto which the modulation object's image is imaged. The image plane of the camera intersects a plane that is conjugated to the modulation object or is located in the plane and the camera detecting the contrast of the modulation object's image located in the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a procedure to obtain the absorption profiles of molecular resonance with ANSOM. The method includes setting a reference field phase to ?=0.5 ? relative to the near-field field, and reference amplitude A?5|?eff|. The requirement on phase precision is found to be <0.3 ?. This method enables ANSOM performing vibrational spectroscopy at nanoscale spatial resolution.

Abstract: There is provided a confocal microscope system configured so as to be compact in size without the needs for a large space, requiring fewer spots for adjustment. In the confocal microscope system, respective units making up the confocal microscope system are integrally housed in a protection cabinet covering the confocal microscope system, and when a specimen disposed opposite to an objective lens is moved toward an external face of the protection cabinet, a side of the external face, adjacent to an opening through which the specimen is taken in, or out, is defined as a front face, the Nipkow disk type scanner unit is disposed backward of the objective lens.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provide for an optical microscope apparatus including a light source, a base unit, a rotary monochromatic dispersion unit, a condenser, a stage, an objective, a tubular assembly and an ocular assembly. In a preferred embodiment, light travels from the light source sequentially through each of these seven components, producing an image of the contents of a slide on the stage to a user looking through the ocular assembly. In the base unit, in place of a standard mirror which would direct the light vertically up into the scope along the z-axis, a right angle piece of single crystal Calcite, known as Iceland Spar is used, which has a birefringent affect upon the light as it passes up through the scope.

Abstract: An automated microscope apparatus, comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in said housing, and configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in said outer housing; a microscope assembly in said housing, preferably in said first compartment; and a microprocessor in said housing, preferably in said second compartment; and optionally but preferably a heat sink mounted on said housing external wall, preferably adjacent said second compartment, with said microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with said microscope assembly.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus and a microscopic method that uses the microscope apparatus for examining a sample or a specimen, such as but not limited to a tissue sample or a tissue specimen, includes a convex curved distal exit window at a distal end of the microscope apparatus. Due to the presence of the convex curved distal exit window, the microscope apparatus may readily make contact with the sample or the specimen absent trauma to the sample or the specimen. In addition, an index of refraction matched immersion fluid may be used for focusing the microscope apparatus by hydraulic movement of an objective optic lens assembly interior to the distal exit window with respect to the distal exit window. The convex curved distal exit window and index of refraction matched immersion fluid characteristics may be extended to various microscope apparatuses and methods, and in particular medical microscope apparatuses and methods.

Abstract: A system includes a displacement sensor, an actuator connected to the displacement sensor, and a feedback unit. The displacement sensor is configured to measure at least one of a relative position and a relative orientation between the displacement sensor and the target object. The feedback unit receives a signal from the displacement sensor related to the measured relative position or relative orientation and controls the actuator to move the displacement sensor on the basis of variations in the received signal arising due to a change in environmental conditions.

Abstract: A plurality of image sensors are arranged so that each of odd rows is constituted by image sensors lined up in the X direction, and each of even rows is constituted by image sensors, more than that of the odd row by 1, lined up in the X direction at the same pitch as the odd row with a 1/2 phase shift with respect to the odd row. Light receiving areas of image sensors on both ends of the even row include both ends in the X direction of an imaging target area image respectively, and a length in the Y direction of an area covering the light receiving areas of the image sensors on the first row to the light receiving areas of the image sensors on the last row is longer than a length in the Y direction of the imaging target area image.

Abstract: A digital camera has two imaging units. In a single photography mode, upon a half press of the shutter release button, imaging units carry out preliminary photography at magnifications different from each other. A face detecting section detects persons' faces from a preliminary image captured by each imaging unit. A face comparing section compares the faces between the two preliminary images. A face evaluating section calculates a face evaluation value of each face, and determines ranking of the faces in each preliminary image based on the face evaluation values. Moreover, in consideration of the ranking of the faces determined in the telephoto preliminary image out of the two preliminary images, the face evaluating section corrects the face evaluation values and ranking of the faces in the wide-angle preliminary image. In each imaging unit, photographic conditions for actual photography are determined with giving high priority to the higher-ranked image.

Abstract: An improved system for confocal imaging within dermal tissue of a patient is provided which minimizes instability in confocal images by reducing the relative motion of the tissue with respect to the confocal imaging optics of the system. The system includes a mechanism for maintaining an area of skin tissue under stress by application of force at the edges of the area, and an imaging head coupled to this mechanism for imaging the stressed skin. The mechanism includes a mechanical structure, such as a platen, brace, or attachment, which both supports the imaging head of the system and applies stress to a limited surface area of the tissue to minimize skin motion during confocal imaging.

Abstract: A floor stand with an angled arm is provided for use with a microscope. The angled arm allows the floor stand and microscope to fit within a small or crowded examination room while also allowing a physician and his assistant space to maneuver around the floor stand and examine a patient.

Abstract: Provided is a microscope system that including: a plurality of image-capturing sections that are provided in a microscope to capture a plurality of lights from a specimen; a capture-condition setting section that allows a user to set an image-capturing order of the plurality of groups into which the lights are classified, and the image-capturing sections for image-capturing of the lights; and a control section that causes the microscope to perform image capturing of the lights according to contents set in the capture-condition setting section. The capture-condition setting section has a table in which an first axis indicates the groups and a second axis indicates the image-capturing sections, and a plurality of cells that are each associated with one of the groups and one of the image-capturing sections are arrayed in a matrix; and captured items that indicate image-capturing of the lights are set in the cells.

Abstract: When it is detected that a solid immersion lens comes into contact with the semiconductor device, the lens is caused to vibrate by a vibration generator unit. Next, a reflected light image from the lens is input to calculate a reflected light quantity of the reflected light image, and it is judged whether a ratio of the reflected light quantity to an incident light quantity is not greater than a threshold value. When the ratio is greater than the threshold value, it is judged that optical close contact between the lens and the semiconductor device is not achieved, and the lens is again caused to vibrate. When the ratio is not greater than the threshold value, it is judged that optical close contact between the lens and the semiconductor device is achieved, and an observed image of the semiconductor device is acquired.

Abstract: An optical arrangement for oblique plane microscopy includes a first optical subassembly having an objective lens that receives light from a sample in use, and configured to produce an intermediate image of the sample, and a second optical subassembly focused on the intermediate image. Optical axes of the first and second subassemblies are at an angle to each other at the point of the intermediate image, such that the second subassembly images an oblique plane in the intermediate image, corresponding to an oblique plane in the sample. An oblique plane microscopy method is performed by directing an incident light beam through the objective lens to illuminate or excite the oblique plane in the sample, and receiving light from the sample through the same objective lens. The incident light beam is incident on the sample at an angle of substantially 90° relative to the light beam received from the sample.

Abstract: An immersion microscope objective formed of thirteen or fewer lens elements includes, in order from the object side, first and second lens groups of positive refractive power, a third lens group, a fourth lens group having negative refractive power with its image-side surface being concave, and a fifth lens group having positive refractive power with its object-side surface being concave. The first lens group includes, in order from the object side, a lens component that consists of a lens element of positive refractive power (when computed as being in air) and a meniscus lens element having its concave surface on the object side. Various conditions are satisfied to ensure that images of fluorescence, obtained when the immersion microscope objective is used in a laser scanning microscope that employs multiphoton excitation to observe a specimen, are bright and of high resolution. Various laser scanning microscopes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microscope, including: an illumination optical system; a first image creation optical system; a second image creation optical system; an illumination-field-diaphragm focus adjustment section; and a characteristic-quantity computation block, wherein the illumination-field-diaphragm focus adjustment section adjusts the image creation position for the illumination field diaphragm on the basis of the characteristic quantity computed by the characteristic-quantity computation block.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of performing orthogonal light sheet microscopy (OLM) and computer optical tomography (COT) simultaneously in a single device are provided. The dual-mode imaging microscope allows for the use of both OLM and COT in a single instrument. This dual-mode device will allow researchers to have access to both types of microscopy, allowing access to the widest possible selection of samples, and improved imaging results. In addition, the device will reduce the high costs and space requirements associated with owning two different imagers (OLM and COT).

Abstract: An inverted microscope that allows observation of a specimen from underneath includes an objective lens holding unit that holds an objective lens configured to collect at least observation light from the specimen, a tube lens configured to focus the observation light collected by the objective lens, a branching unit configured to branch an optical path of the observation light from the tube lens, and an observation image switching device that is removably provided in a microscope main body between the objective lens and the tube lens and is configured to switch between wavelengths of an observation image or between magnifications of the observation image.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of performing light sheet microscopy (LISH) and light scanning microscopy (RAPS) in a single device are provided. The dual-mode imaging microscope allows for the use of both LISH and RAPS in a single instrument. This dual-mode device will allow researchers to have access to both types of microscopy, allowing access to the widest possible selection of samples. In addition, the device will reduce the high costs and space requirements associated with owning two different microscopes (LISH and RAPS).

Abstract: A structured-illumination module included in a 3D-structured-illumination-based fluorescence microscope, the structured-illumination module comprising: a structured-illumination-module frame; a beam-alignment module including a central tilt mirror coupled to an underside of a top horizontal plate of the structured-illumination-module frame; a set of directional mirrors, one of which receives, at a given point in time, input, polarized, coherent light reflected from the central tilt mirror; three sets of beam splitters, on three arms of the structured-illumination-module frame, the each splits an incident illumination beam, reflected to the set of beam splitters from a directional mirror of the set of directional mirrors, into a coherent beam triplet; and a phase-shift module that receives a beam triplet, at a given point in time, generated by one of the sets of beam splitters and reflected from the beam-alignment module and that introduces a desired relative phase relationship among the beams of the beam trip

Abstract: The present invention relates to an afocal zoom system for a microscope with a shutter for controlling the depth of focus of the microscopic image produced by an object, wherein at least one shutter is disposed in front of the first lens group of the zoom system, viewed from the object, in the direction of the beam path passing through the zoom system, and/or at least one shutter is disposed on a lens group of the zoom system, the diameter of which can be varied in order to control the depth of focus, without causing vignetting of the edge beams.

Abstract: A microscope for conventional fluorescence microscopy (epi-fluorescence) and for total internal reflection microscopy is described. A first light source emits conventional fluorescent illumination light along a first illumination path and a second light source emitting evanescent illumination light along a second illumination path that differs from the first illumination path. An objective emits light onto an object to be viewed. A beam combiner directs the two lights into the objective while keeping their beam paths geometrically separated. The beam combiner comprises at least two spatially separated first zones for coupling in the conventional fluorescent illumination light and at least two spatially separated second zones for coupling in the evanescent illumination light. The first and second zones are adapted in their size and position to objective pupils of different objectives.

Abstract: An inverted microscope includes an imaging lens configured to form an image of light which passes through an objective lens from a specimen, and a microscope main body in which a plurality of optical devices are configured to be arranged between the objective lens and the imaging lens in a direction of an optical axis of the objective lens and which includes therein a plurality of installation units that allow the plurality of optical devices to be fixed independently of one another. Each of the plurality of installation units includes an abutting reference surface on which any one of the plurality of optical devices is configured to be abutted. A plurality of abutting reference surfaces of the plurality of the installation units are shifted from one another in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens.