Abstract: A differential interference contrast microscope including an illuminating light source, a polarizer for converting an illumination light ray into a linearly polarized light, a polarized light separating means for dividing the linearly polarized light ray into two linearly polarized light rays having mutually orthogonal vibrating directions, an illuminating optical system for projecting the two linearly polarized light rays onto an object under inspection, a polarized light combining unit for combining the two linearly polarized light rays on a same optical path via an inspecting optical system, an analyzer for forming a differential interference contrast image on an imaging plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact microscope 4 especially for medical routine applications. The microscope is configured as a closed housing 8 wherein the specimen 30 to be microscoped is drawn in via an input opening 25. All optical components of the microscope are mounted within the housing. Alternatively, the microscope can be mounted in a standard drive bay of a personal computer 3. All movable components of the microscope are motorically driven and controlled by software via the computer. The specimen can be moved in two mutually perpendicular directions within the microscope to select the object detail of interest. An overview diagram of the specimen is produced with a line sensor when the specimen is drawn in.

Abstract: A confocal microscope comprises a light source, a focusing arrangement, a detector and an encoded mask (17). The light source illuminates the mast (17) and the encoded light is then focused on a specimen. Light from the specimen is then decoded, by either the same or a separate complementary mask, before being detected, for example by a camera. The mask (17) is encoded with a pattern which generates a combined confocal and non-confocal image and the confocal image is subsequently extracted from the combined image. This means that confocal images of different regions of the specimen can be produced simultaneously, which in turn enables real-time confocal imaging of the specimen. In addition, as the microscope is no longer restricted to delta correlated images, an improvement in the light budget can also be achieved.

Abstract: An optical system having a polarization compensating optical system capable of compensating for retardation with high accuracy. The polarization compensating optical system includes a half-wave plate (22), a first optical system (23a) having at least one uncoated refracting surface (26, 27), and a second optical system (23b) having at least one coated refracting surface (24, 25). The total rotation of the polarization plane introduced in rays passing through the entire optical system is reduced to approximately zero by rotation of the polarization plane produced by the first optical system (23a), and the total retardation introduced in the rays is reduced to approximately zero by retardation produced by the second optical system (23b).

Abstract: The quality of images produced by confocal microscopy, and especially scanning laser confocal microscopy, is enhanced especially for images obtained in turbid mediums such as many biological tissue specimens, by reducing speckle from scatterers that exist outside (above and below) the section which is being imaged by utilizing sheared beams, both of which are focused to laterally or vertically offset spots and polarizing the beams to have opposite senses of circular polarization (right and left handed circular polarization). The return light from the section of certain polarization is detected after passing through the confocal aperture of the confocal microscope. Images can be formed using optical coherence detection of the return light. Light from scatterers outside the section of interest, which are illuminated by both of the sheared beams, interfere thereby reducing speckle due to such scatterers, and particularly scatters which are adjacent to the section being imaged.

Abstract: The quality of images produced by confocal microscopy, and especially scanning laser confocal microscopy, is enhanced especially for images obtained in turbid mediums such as many biological tissue specimens, by reducing speckle from scatterers that exist outside (above and below) the focal plane region which is being imaged by utilizing sheared beams, both of which are focused to spots in the focal or image plane (region of interest) and polarizing the beams to have opposite senses of circular polarization (right and left handed circular polarization). The return light from the image plane of certain polarization is detected after passing through the confocal aperture of the confocal microscope. Light from scatterers outside the region of interest, which are illuminated by both of the sheared beams, interfere thereby reducing speckle due to such scatterers, and particularly scatters which are adjacent to the image plane.

Abstract: For observing transparent phase objects and the like, an optical microscope is provided with an aperture element 13 and an optical modulation element 14 that creates an image having the detecting sensitivity of the phase contrast imaging technique while simultaneously realizing an image having the three-dimensional sense provided by the modulation contrast imaging technique. In the present invention, the aperture is shaped as an angular segment of a circular ring that is centered on the optical axis and the corresponding optical modulation element includes either a light attenuating phase plate in the shape of a circular ring, or a light attenuating region in the shape of a circular ring with all other regions of the optical modulation element adding a phase retardation to the light passing therethrough.

Abstract: A differential interference contrast microscope including an illuminating light source, a polarizer for converting an illumination light ray into a linearly polarized light, a polarized light separating unit for dividing the linearly polarized light ray into two linearly polarized light rays having mutually orthogonal vibrating directions, an illuminating optical system, for projecting the two linearly polarized light rays onto an object under inspection, a polarized light combining unit for combining the two linearly polarized light rays on a same optical path via an inspecting optical system, an analyzer for forming a differential interference contrast image on an imaging plane.

Abstract: When an operator causes an angle change, a rotation controller controls rotation of an aperture structure with an aperture. At the same time, a deviation amount calculator calculates a positional deviation change amount based on angles of the aperture relative to a sample through rotation and deviation parameters regarding a deviation between a rotation axis of the aperture and a center of the aperture. Then the deviation amount calculator sends the positional deviation change amount to a horizontal motion controller. The horizontal motion controller controls a sample stand driving means to move a sample stand in the X-axis and Y-axis direction corresponding to the positional deviation change amount. The position of a sample is automatically adjusted to keep a spot of the sample at the center of the aperture through angle adjustment.

Abstract: A reflected light differential interference microscope (100) having a birefringent optical member (B). Each birefringent optical member has a ray-separating plane (Q.sub.B) that intersects the optical axis (A2') at an intersection point (P.sub.B) at a first angle (.beta.) with respect to a reference plane (P.sub.2) oriented perpendicular to the optical axis. The microscope further includes an objective lens (113) having a focal point (F.sub.113) along the optical axis. The birefringent optical member is designed so as to be movable along a line oriented at a second angle (.gamma.) with respect to the reference plane in a manner that maintains the intersection point and the focal point substantially coincident. This allows for the color of the image (115) to be varied without degrading the image quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grazing angle microscope for spectroscopic applications. A novel light path having two shifting planar mirrors permits spectroscopic investigation of a sample area off the optical microscope axis at grazing angles as well as visual viewing at steeper angles of incidence of the light.

Abstract: Microscope systems invention provide ability to image specimens, including specimens within living bodies, by imaging with transmitted light rather than solely with reflected light. The microscope systems may be general purpose instruments, or can be custom designed for a particular specimen.

Abstract: A centrifuge microscope includes a disk which is rotatable around a rotation axis and which is provided with a sample chamber for accommodating a sample. An observation optical system is provided which includes an objective lens which is positioned such that the sample chamber crosses an optical axis of the objective lens as the disk rotates. A pulsed laser source is provided for emitting a pulsed laser to the sample at a timing at which the sample chamber crosses the optical axis of the objective lens. And a delay time adjusting section is provided for adjusting a delay time of an emission timing of the pulsed laser in accordance with a rotational speed of the disk.

Abstract: An optical microscope is provided with an aperture element 13 and an optical modulation element 14 that creates an image having the detecting sensitivity of the phase contrast imaging technique while simultaneously realizing an image having the three-dimensional sense provided by the modulation contrast imaging technique. There are four regions (two of which may have the same transmittance value and be contiguous in portions of the optical modulation element), are provided on a single optical modulation element 14, these regions including a first light absorbing region 14a having transmittance Ta, a second light absorbing region 14b having transmittance Tb and positioned adjacent to the first light absorbing region, a first light transmitting region 14c having a transmittance Tc and positioned adjacent to the first light absorbing region 14a, and a second light transmitting region 14d having a transmittance Td, wherein Ta is greater than Tb and less than Tc, Ta is less than Td, Tc is greater than 0.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus that has an electronic image pickup device arranged on an image surface of an imaging optical system, a component for separating light from a light source into two portions, a device for changing a phase difference between the two portions of light, a device for storing information on the images picked up by the image pickup device, and information processor for processing the information of images. The images are picked up by the electronic image pickup device as the phase difference is changed, and the information on the images is multiplied by a periodic function, as a weight function, which is given the phase difference as variable, and a resultant product is integrated so that a differential interference microscope apparatus capable of accurately obtaining a phase distribution of the object or a phase-contrast microscope apparatus capable of effectively enhancing a resolving power without lowering an image contrast is obtained.

Abstract: A near-intfrared microscope has a light source device for illumination for emitting near-infrared rays, an illuminating optical system for illuminating a specimen with illumination light from the light source device for illumination, and an observing optical system for observing the specimen. The light source device for illumination selectively produces an arbitrary wavelength in a wavelength region ranging from 600 to 900 nm. The illuminating optical system and the observing optical system include a contrast producing unit for yielding a contrast of the specimen. In this way, cells lying at a depth of at least 100 .mu.m below the surface of the specimen can be observed, and even when an ordinary objective lens is used in the near-infrared region, imaging performance is not affected.

Abstract: An exchangeable condenser system for a phase-contrast illuminating system (12) for microscopes has a plurality of different light rings (5), arranged on a nosepiece plate (4), assigned to the condenser optical system (6). The condenser optical system (6) can be exchanged independently of the light rings (5), the focal lengths F.sub.n of the exchangeable condenser optical systems (6) being selected relative to one another in the ratio F.sub.n =F.sub.0 *X.sup.n and the average diameters D.sub.n of the light rings (5) being selected relative to one another in the ratio D.sub.n =D.sub.0 *X.sup.n, where X>0, n=0,1,2,3, . . . .

Abstract: A light microscope comprises a light source and a first acousto-optic tunable filter responsive to the light source for producing two light streams of different polarization. A control circuit is provided for tuning the first filter to a plurality of frequencies. A mechanism, such as steering optics, is provided for combining the two light streams into a combined light stream. Input optics focus the combined light stream. A condenser, such as a darkfield condenser, receives the focused, combined, light stream and projects it onto a sample. A second acousto-optic tunable filter is responsive to light from the sample. A second control circuit is provided for tuning the second acousto-optic filter to a plurality of frequencies. The light from the second acousto-optic tunable filter may be captured and stored for future processing.

Abstract: A phase contrast microscope including an illuminating optical system, a ring slit arranged at a pupil of the illuminating optical system, an imaging optical system, and a phase plate arranged at a pupil of the imaging optical system which is conjugate with the pupil of the illuminating optical system with respect to a specimen plane on which a specimen under inspection is placed. The phase plate is formed by a liquid crystal and a pair of transparent ring-shaped electrodes arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal. A voltage applied across the liquid crystal via the electrodes is changed such that a phase difference introduced by the phase plate is set to .+-..pi./2 to obtain a dark contrast image and a bright contrast image. A difference between these dark and bright contrast images is derived to obtain a phase contrast image having high contrast and resolution.

Abstract: A multi-purpose objective for use in a compound microscope wherein the microscope has an eyepiece and a multi-purpose processing element in the back focal plane or Fourier plane of the objective and an aperture or slit for the light source situated in the front focal plane or conjugate Fourier plane of the condenser. An aperture specimen stage is disposed between the condenser and objective lenses. The multi-purpose light processing element has a plurality of light processing regions upon a selected region of which the image of the aperture slit is formed. The aperture element is moveable relative to the multi-purpose light processing element so as to direct light onto the selected region of the multi-purpose processing element.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a confocal incident light microscope for viewing an object. The microscope includes: an illuminating device for transmitting an illuminating beam along an illuminating beam path; a viewing optical assembly for defining a viewing beam path; an optical unit for joining the illuminating beam path and the viewing beam path to form a common beam path; a perforated mask arranged in the common beam path at an angle .delta. to a plane perpendicular to the common beam path; an imaging optic arranged between the perforated mask and the object; a first prism having a first wedge-shaped section arranged in the common beam path between the optical unit and the perforated mask; the first wedge-shaped section defining a wedge angle .alpha.

Abstract: A confocal optical apparatus comprising a light source, a first aperture portion for passing light emitted from the light source and obtaining a point source, an objective lens for causing the light that has passed through the first aperture portion to converge on a measurement object, a second aperture portion located on a plane conjugate with the convergence surface on the measurement object, and light detectors for detecting light that has passed through the second aperture portion, wherein placing the first and second aperture portions in the same position and using them as the same aperture portion, as well as positioning the detection surfaces of the light detectors substantially on the same surfaces as the conjointly used identical aperture portions make it possible to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus, to perform three-dimensional shape measurements rapidly and accurately, and to facilitate the alignment of each portion.

Abstract: A first a confocal optical microscope in which a good image with high contrast can be observed with which a bright image can be observed over a long time interval. The confocal optical microscope has a quarter wave plate arranged in an optical path between an imaging lens and an objective such that it is inclined relative to a reference optics axis extending between the imaging lens and the objective. Furthermore, the confocal optical microscope has a shortwave radiation attenuator for attenuating light radiated from the light source with wavelengths of less than or equal to 340 nm. The confocal optical microscope can form part of a length measuring device which can take a length measurement of a sample to be measured with high measurement accuracy and high reproducibility. The length measuring device also has a movable carrier, a carrier device for a sample to be measured, a computing device, a display device and a control device.

Abstract: This laser scanning microscope has a second light source for emitting second light into one of branch channel waveguides, and a third photodetector for detecting a light intensity distribution formed on the end face of the trunk channel waveguide based on the second light, and a controller for controlling the voltage to be applied from a voltage application unit to electrode on the waveguide in accordance with the output signal from the third photodetector.

Abstract: A differential interference microscope which includes a light source, a condenser optical system for condensing beams of light from the light source and illuminating an object with the beams of light, an objective optical system for converging the beams of light from the illuminated object and forming an image of the object, a pick-up device for photoelectrically detecting the image of the object, and a contrast enhancement circuit for enhancing a contrast of the image on the basis of an output signal of the pick-up device. A first polarizing element and a first birefringent element are disposed sequentially in an optical path between the light source and the object. The first polarizing element changes the beams of light from the light source into predetermined beams of polarized light. The first birefringent element separates the polarized light into an ordinary ray and an extraordinary ray.

Abstract: In the establishment of interference colors in weakly birefringent materials within living organisms, in fixed tissues or in preparations of liquid crystals, a compensating birefringent plate is positioned in series with the object in the direction of the light path between a crossed polarizer and analyzer in a polarizing microscope, and is aligned with the vibrational direction of its slow wave at a small angle of horizontal rotation from the vibrational direction of the polarizer or of the analyzer. The small angle of rotation is between 2.degree. and 15.degree., more especially 4.degree. and 7.5.degree.. The chromatic response (color intensity) is enhanced and increased color contrast is obtained for all live organisms, freshly fixed sections, and liquid crystal preparations.

Abstract: A search light employs variable polarization angles to enhance target identification. The search light shines a beam of light which may be directed across terrain. The beam of light is alternated in polarization angles at a rate of about five to twelve cycles per second. The alternating contrast in polarization angles produces flashing to an observer viewing certain targets struck by the beam of light. The flashing appears when striking man-made objects which tend to have a differential in polarized light between horizontal and vertical polarization. Natural objects do not appear to provide the flashing to the observer. The rotating polarization angles are accomplished in one instance by using a stationary polarizer and a liquid crystal retarder mounted in front of a light source. In another instance, the change in polarization angles is accomplished by rotating a polarizer in front of a light source. The light source may be infrared, visible or ultraviolet.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device formed by a material showing anisotropy for refraction index and an optical instrument using the same device. The device comprises an electro-optic single crystal substrate on which are formed a first core portion higher in refractive index than the substrate with respect to both ordinary and extraordinary rays and a second core portion higher in refractive index than the substrate with respect to extraordinary rays pnly whereby the first core portion forms a single-moded waveguide for ordinary rays, and the overlapping region of the first and second core portions forms a double-moded waveguide for extraordinary rays. This optical waveguide device is used in place of a pinhole elementin an optical system of a confocal scanning optical microscopeso as to guide illuminating light to an object to be detected and to guide the reflected light from the object into a detector.

Abstract: An interference microscope includes a light source, a member for splitting up light from the light source into two components, a member for recombining the two components emerging from a sample, a polarizing plate whose transmission axis is oriented at a predetermined angle with directions of polarization of the two components, and an imaging element for detecting the light transmitted through the polarizing plate. This interference microscope is provided with a member for changing the state of polarization on an optical path from the light source to the splitting member, or an optical path from the recombining member to the imaging element. Thus, the interference microscope allows the setting and adjustment of contrast to be easily performed without affecting an imaging relationship.

Abstract: A device will assist in detecting man-made objects by using a liquid crystal retarder and a stationary polarizer. The liquid crystal retarder shifts impinging light 90 degrees between a nonrotated and a rotated mode. In the nonrotated mode, the retarder is essentially transparent, with the light passing through the retarder and through the polarizer. In the rotated mode, the impinging light will be rotated 90 degrees. An observer viewing the light passing through the polarizer will detect a difference or a flashing, with the rate depending upon the speed of oscillation between the rotated and nonrotated modes. The system can be employed with visible light optical systems such as binoculars, or with an infrared detector or video camera.

Abstract: A device will detect man-made objects by using a polarizer mounted to a video camera. The polarizer rotates about an axis in front of a lens array of the video camera. The rotation of the polarizer alternately polarizes light received in proportion to the speed of rotation. This produces flashing in intensity for detecting the object as well as background rejection due to its lack of polarization. A man-made object having both horizontal and vertical surfaces of a type that will reflect light that can be polarized will provide flashing through the lens array as the polarizer passes through horizontal and vertical position. On the other hand, backgrounds don't have polarized components and won't flash. Attention is drawn to the man-made target. A high pass filter between the video signal processor and the monitor reduces background from the observed scene, permitting precise lock-on to the target.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope comprising a pair of observation systems each comprising an objective lens and an eyepiece lens, a pair of light sources disposed above the objective lens for emitting a pair of light beams through a pair of beam splitters into the observation systems coaxially therewith, pairs of polarizers disposed on the side of the eyepiece lenses and the side of the light sources respectively so as to have polarizing surfaces perpendicular to each other, a quarter wavelength plate interposed between the objective lens and a sample to be observed, and a pair of light beam deflecting members disposed between the beam splitters and the objective lens.

Abstract: A device will detect man-made objects by using a polarizer. The polarizer rotates about an axis in front of a lens array. The rotation of the polarizer alternately polarizes light received in proportion to the speed of rotation. This produces flashing in intensity for detecting the object as well as background rejection due to its lack of polarization. A man-made object having both horizontal and vertical surfaces of a type that will reflect light that can be polarized will provide flashing through the lens array as the polarizer passes through horizontal and vertical position. On the other hand, backgrounds don't have polarized components and won't flash. Attention is drawn to the man-made target. The background can also be electronically eliminated from the observed scene, permitting precise lock-on to the target.

Abstract: An illumination optical arrangement which uses a laser light source to produce a uniform illumination which is high in brightness and substantially free of interference patterns. The illumination optical arrangement includes light source means for emitting a coherent light beam, optical illuminance distribution uniformizing means for making substantially uniform the intensity distribution in a beam cross-section of illumination by the coherent light beam on a plane to be illuminated, and optical polarizing means for producing from the coherent light beam a plurality of polarized light components which are different in polarized state from each other in such a manner that wavefronts of incident light beams of the polarized light components to the optical illuminance distribution uniformizing means are inclined relative to each other whereby interference patterns produced by the polarized light components are relatively shifted in position in the illuminated plane.

Abstract: A scanning microscope comprises a sample supporting member for supporting a sample, and a light source for producing a light beam including a light component, which has been polarized linearly in a first direction, and a light component, which has been polarized linearly in a second direction that intersects perpendicularly to the first direction. A first polarizer transmits only the light component, which has been polarized linearly in the first direction. A second polarizer transmits only the light component, which has been polarized linearly in the second direction. A light projecting device forms a small spot of the light beam composed of the light components, which have respectively passed through the first and second polarizers. The sample is scanned with the light spot.

Abstract: A confocal scanning type of interference microscope comprises a sample supporting member on which a sample is supported, a light source which produces a light beam, and a light projecting optical system with which a small light spot of the light beam is formed on the sample. A light receiving optical system condenses the light beam radiated out of the sample and forms a point image, which is detected by a photodetector. Before the light beam impinges upon the sample, a beam splitting device splits it into a light beam, which is to be irradiated to the sample, and a reference light beam, which is not to be irradiated to the sample. A beam combining device combines the light beam radiated out of the sample and the reference light beam. A reference light beam optical system equivalent to the light projecting and receiving optical systems is located in the optical path of the reference light beam.

Abstract: Automatic focusing of an interference microscope is accomplished by directly sensing an interference pattern produced by a white light source with an auxiliary point detector. A beamsplitter intercepts part of the interference beam and directs it to the point detector. A narrow band filter filters light passing through the beam splitter on its way to a main detector array. An objective of the interference microscope is rapidly moved to an initial position between a sample surface and a fringe window by operating a position sensor to sense when the objective is a predetermined safe distance from the sample surface and turning off a motor moving the objective. The objective then moves rapidly from the initial position until the presence of fringes is detected by the point detector. Momentum of the microscope causes the objective to overshoot beyond a fringe window.

Abstract: A new confocal microscope and a new device fabrication method in which linewidth control is achieved using the new confocal microscope are disclosed. This new confocal microscope has a configuration which achieves multiple passes, e.g., three, four, five, six, seven or more passes, of the incident light through the objective lens of the microscope. As a consequence, the new confocal microscope exhibits a smaller effective depth of focus and a smaller effective resolution than a conventional confocal microscope.