Abstract: This projection microscope (10) includes an elongate support member (12) carrying a stage assembly (22) between its ends, the stage assembly (22) having opposed sides and an associated specimen holder (28). A light emitting source (24) and a light receiving point (26) are spaced from the stage assembly (22), the linear distance between them defining an optical path (100). An adjustable mirror assembly (18, 19) is carried at one end of the support member (12) including laterally spaced first and second mirrors (18, 19), the first mirror (18) receiving light from the light emitting source (24) and the second mirror (19) directing light to the light receiving point (26). An objective lens assembly (30) is disposed between the stage assembly (22) and the first mirror (18), and a secondary lens (40) is disposed between the second mirror (19) and the light receiving point (26).

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: Digital focus lens systems that can provide an optical system with a plurality of selectable focal powers are described. The systems may include a number of switchable elements, each of which is capable of being switched between a first state and a second state, whereby the states represent focal powers. The switchable elements may be arranged coaxially in a stack such that each of them may contribute to a cumulative focal power of the system. If, for example, the system includes two such switchable elements, four focal powers for the lens system may be selected by appropriate choice the states of each switchable element. Digital telescopes, cameras, microscopes, and other optical instruments may be implemented using such digital focus lens systems. Methods of fabricating switchable elements and methods of controlling digital lens systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of calibrating the magnification of a stereomicroscope having variable magnification comprises the steps of (A) positioning an object reference measure (10) with a known scaling in an object plane (8) of the stereomicroscope; (B) providing an eyepiece reference measure (6a) of known scaling in an intermediate image plane (7) of the stereomicroscope; (C) varying the magnification of the stereomicroscope using a zoom system (4) thereof so that an image of the object reference measure (10) is brought into optical alignment (coincidence) with the eyepiece reference measure (6a) in the intermediate image plane (7) in order to determine a zoom position of the zoom system (4) corresponding to this alignment; (D) determining an actual magnification of the stereomicroscope in the zoom position on the basis of a lateral magnification defined by the scalings of the object reference measure (10) and eyepiece reference measure (6a) which have been brought into alignment; (E) determining a nominal magnification of

Abstract: The invention concerns a fluorescence (stereo)microscope having a filter carrier that can be loaded with manually exchangeable filter inserts, and having a reliable eye protection system against the energy-rich light radiation in the context of a carrier position without a filter insert.

Abstract: A system that permits biological samples to be viewed in three optical ways, including in three dimension (stereoscopic), two dimension (compound optic), and macro with reflected light fluorescence. Each of three optical views can be carried out on one system. The system permits the user to sort samples under stereo fluorescence illumination and to verify structural detail under compound optic fluorescence illumination on one instrument. The three position rotating objective carrier with automatic shift houses one stereoscopic and two compound objectives. All objectives are parcenter and parfocal.

Abstract: Microscope, particularly a stereomicroscope, for simultaneous observation of an object by a first and a second observer, comprising a main objective (2) having an optical axis (2a); an optical viewing path; a plurality of deflector elements (5, 6, 7) for deflecting the optical viewing path into a first plane I extending at an angle to the optical axis of the main objective and subsequently into a second plane II substantially parallel to and above the first plane I; an uncoupling device (7) in the optical viewing path for uncoupling an optical viewing path of the second observer from an optical viewing path of the first observer; and a deflector element (20) for deflecting the optical viewing path of the second observer into a third plane III which extends substantially parallel to the first and second planes I, II, wherein the second plane II is located between the first plane I and the third plane III.

Abstract: A microscopic image capturing apparatus and method are provided. First, the entire area of a slide glass on a stage is divided into field size sections (low-magnification sections) of a low-powered objective lens. The stage is transferred perpendicular to an optical axis, and image information is sequentially obtained for each low-magnification section. Each low-magnification section is divided into high-magnification size sections (high-magnification sections), and a high-magnification image is captured using a high-powered objective lens only in high-magnification sections corresponding to a sample. A high-magnification image is generated by correctly maintaining the relative position between the obtained image information and an area corresponding to high-magnification sections which are not captured, and high-magnification composite image information of the sample is generated.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus has a driver mounted on a main body of the microscope apparatus, a sensor which detects a stopped state of the driver, a power supply which supplies power to the sensor, a drive controller which controls driving of the driver, and a controller which controls the power supply to the sensor from the power supply in accordance with a drive control signal sent from the drive controller to the driver.

Abstract: This invention serves to solve the problem of the large irradiation angle upon an observation target of an inclined illuminator type medical binocular microscope, and the problem of structural complexity and light attenuation of a coaxial illuminator type microscope. The microscope A includes the illumination system 2 comprised of the illumination unit 6 with the condensing lens 6d attached at a front tip of the illumination unit, disposes the illumination system retaining member 7 in close proximity to the two observation optical systems structured at the body tube 3, defines the plane 8 including the prescribed lenses of the objective lenses of the left and right observation optical systems 1 (secondary objective lens 1b) arranged closest to the observation target, and arranges the optical axis 2a of the illumination system 2 inside the circle 9 having a diameter connecting the optical axis 1a of the two observation optical systems with respect to the plane 8.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a structure surrounds a space between the projection system and a substrate table of the lithographic projection apparatus. A gas seal is formed between said structure and the surface of said substrate to contain liquid in the space.

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: An opto-electronic image magnifying system. The magnifiying system includes: a light source (38, 39) which illuminates an object to be viewed; a miniaturized opto-electronic magnifier module (MOM), made of a lens (31) and a photodetector array (32), which receives the light from the illuminated object; an electronic circuit (34) which receives the signal from the MOM; a video-monitor (35) which receives the magnified signal from the electronic circuit and displays the image. The opto-electronic image magnifying system allows for small objects or features of small objects to be observed in which historically compound microscopes or specialized optical viewing systems were required to observe the small objects.

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: The invention relates to a zoom lens that enables an optical path to be easily bent and has high optical specification performance such as a high zoom ratio, a wide-angle arrangement, a small F-number and limited aberrations. The zoom lens comprises, in order from its object side, a lens group A (G1) that comprises a negative lens, a reflecting optical element P for bending the optical path and remains fixed upon zooming, a lens group B (G2) that moves in one direction alone upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end of the zoom lens and an aperture stop S that remains immovable with respect to position upon zooming. The zoom lens satisfies condition (1) with respect to the degree of change in the magnification of the lens group B from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end.

Abstract: Illumination arrangement for a stereo microscope, preferably a Greenough type stereo microscope, comprising at least one, preferably two illumination channels which are arranged in a plane which is arranged essentially orthogonally with respect to the plane of the two observation channels, preferably with two light channels in the interior of the microscope housing outside of the observation beam paths, wherein the light channels are guided around the observation optics.

Abstract: The invention relates to an afocal zoom (1) for use in microscopes of high resolution and high zoom factors having a tube lens (11), the zoom comprising four successive optical assemblies (G1, G2, G3, G4) when viewed from the object end, the first assembly (G1) having a positive focal length (f1), the second assembly (G2) a negative focal length (f2), the third assembly (G3) a positive focal length (f3), and the fourth assembly (G4) a negative focal length (f4), and the first and the fourth assembly (G1, G4) being arranged in stationary fashion and the second and the third assembly (G2, G3) being arranged movably for modifying the magnification of the zoom (1), the zoom magnification decreasing with increasing distance (D23) between the two assemblies (G2, G3). The zoom operates in the range of “useful magnification” of the microscope with sufficient contrast if the zoom meets the meets specific conditions.

Abstract: A fixed-high-power-switching microscope including a usual variable power optical system which can be switched to a fixed high power high resolution optical system, as necessary, is provided. The microscope includes a second optical axis for the fixed high power bypassing the variable power optical system. A prism (reflecting element) movable into and out of a first optical axis switches a viewing optical path from the first optical axis for the variable usual power to the second optical axis for the fixed high power, as necessary, providing a clear magnified image at high magnification and high resolution.

Abstract: There is disclosed an inverted microscope comprising an objective lens disposed under a sample, a tube lens which is disposed in a light path of an observation light emitted from the objective lens and which forms the observation light into an image, an incident light illumination optical device which is disposed between the objective lens and the tube lens, and which introduces incident light illumination into the light path of the observation light, and an input/output port which is disposed between the incident light illumination optical device and the tube lens, and which splits a light flux from the light path of the observation light or introduces the light flux into the light path of the observation light.

Abstract: An optical apparatus minimizes autofluorescence and stray light as well as leakage of excitation light and efficiently utilizes illuminating light from a fluorescence illumination optical system to allow observation of a bright fluorescence image. An observation apparatus has an objective, an observation optical system unit including a variable magnification optical system, and an imaging optical system unit including an imaging lens and an eyepiece. A fluorescence illumination apparatus, which is provided separately, is removably attached to the observation apparatus. The fluorescence illumination apparatus has a light source, a collector lens unit, and a reflecting member placed between the objective and the observation optical system unit at a position displaced from the optical axis of the objective to make light from the light source incident on the objective. An excitation filter is provided between the light source and the reflecting member.

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: An ultra-broadband ultraviolet (UV) catadioptric imaging microscope system with wide-range zoom capability. The microscope system, which comprises a catadioptric lens group and a zooming tube lens group, has high optical resolution in the deep UV wavelengths, continuously adjustable magnification, and a high numerical aperture. The system integrates microscope modules such as objectives, tube lenses and zoom optics to reduce the number of components, and to simplify the system manufacturing process. The preferred embodiment offers excellent image quality across a very broad deep ultraviolet spectral range, combined with an all-refractive zooming tube lens. The zooming tube lens is modified to compensate for higher-order chromatic aberrations that would normally limit performance.

Abstract: A projection optical system forms an image of an object in a first plane onto a second plane. The projection optical system has an optical element group including at least one refractive member and plural reflective members, and a plurality of lens-barrel units holding the optical element group divided into a plurality of respective groupings. The reflective members are all held by a single lens-barrel unit of the plurality of lens-barrels units.

Abstract: An information input device according to the present invention is an information input device having a computer and an external input device, and inputting information to a predetermined device. The external input device comprises one or more operation switches, and a notifying unit discretely notifying the computer from when an operation switch becomes ON state until when the operation switch becomes OFF state. Additionally, the computer comprises a transmitting unit transmitting to the external input device a command(s) to instruct the predetermined device of a process(s) corresponding to the operation switch in correspondence with a notification. With this configuration, the predetermined device can immediately stop an action process even if a communication fault occurs during the action process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a zoom system, having various materials (glass types) and variable air spaces, for example for a surgical (stereo)microscope, constructed from four symmetrically arranged lens groups (2 through 5), each two lens groups (2, 5; 3, 4) being arranged identically and in mirror-image fashion with respect to one another. As a result of the special selection of glass types having anomalous partial dispersion, and the specific design features, a high zoom factor is achieved with a short overall length, as well as good correction of the secondary spectrum, astigmatism, and field curvature.

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 apparatus for immersion lithography that includes an imaging lens which has a front surface, a wafer that has a top surface to be exposed positioned spaced-apart and juxtaposed to the front surface of the imaging lens, and a fluid that has a refractive index between about 1.0 and about 2.0 filling a gap formed in-between the front surface of the imaging lens and the top surface of the wafer. A method for immersion lithography can be carried out by flowing a fluid through a gap formed in-between the front surface of an imaging lens and a top surface of a wafer. The flow rate and temperature of the fluid can be controlled while particulate contaminants are filtered out by a filtering device.

Abstract: A small-sized and light weight zoom lens achieving high optical performance, a wide angle of view, and a high magnification, is disclosed. The zoom lens comprises, in order form the object side, a first lens unit with positive optical power, a second lens unit with negative optical power having a magnification varying function, and at least one other lens unit. The first lens unit includes, in order from the object side, a first negative lens element the object side surface of which is concave toward the object side, a second negative lens element, and a positive lens element.

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 device serves for the improvement of the optical qualities of an optical microscopes. The microscopes includes an illuminating unit, a condenser lens, a primary microscope objective with an optical axis, and an ocular or a camera. The device is insertable between the primary microscope objective and the ocular or camera, and includes a rotatable image visualizing plate and a secondary objective. The secondary objective is positioned on the optical axis when the apparatus is inserted in the microscope and has the same orientation as the primary microscope objective. The device also includes a tertiary microscope objective that is arranged between the image visualizing plate and the secondary objective. The tertiary microscope objective is arranged on the same optical axis as the secondary objective and is inversely orientated with respect to the secondary objective.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope zoom objective lens system having improved optical performance, and comprising a compact optical system with a zoom ratio of at least 3. The microscope zoom objective lens system comprises a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power and a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power. For zooming from a low to a high magnification side, the second and third lens groups G2 and G3 move along the optical axis while the separation between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 becomes wide and the separation between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 becomes narrow. The first lens group G1 comprises at least one doublet having positive refractive power and consisting of a positive lens and a negative lens. The positive lens has an Abbe number defined by &ngr;>80.

Abstract: A microscope having a stand (3) and having a revolving nosepiece (1) rotatably articulated on the stand (3), the revolving nosepiece (1) having at least two receptacles (4) for one objective (2) each, and an objective (2) being deliverable into a beam path (5) of the microscope by the rotation of the revolving nosepiece (1), is configured, in the interest of easy association between an objective (2) and its position in the beam path (5) of the microscope, in such a way that one transponder (6) each is associated with the objective (2) or objectives (2), and a reading device (7) for communication with the transponder (6) is associated with the stand (3).

Abstract: A CPU determines an optical-axis direction moving interval of a focal point of a microscope based on a wavelength of light used for sample observation by the microscope and a numerical aperture of an object lens mounted on the microscope, and controls the microscope so as to sequentially move a position of the focal point of the microscope with respect to a sample position in the optical-axis direction at determined moving intervals. Every time the control moves the position, with respect to the sample position, of the focal point at the moving interval, the microscope is so controlled as to sequentially obtain a microscopic image produced when the position of the focal point is at a position after the moving.

Abstract: The apparatus for objective changing comprises an inventory of at least one objective (5) which defines a longitudinal axis (6). The objective change between an objective storage position (22) and a reference objective position (5a) is made possible by the apparatus, and the reference objective position (5a) lies within an optical beam path that defines an optical axis (3). A retaining element defines the reference objective position (5a), and during the objective change, the objective (5) with its longitudinal axis (6) is movable, in the vicinity of the retaining element (26), substantially coaxially with the optical axis (3). The objective change is accomplished along a guide rail (17).

Abstract: A microscope has a light source that emits an illuminating light beam for illumination of a specimen, an apparatus for determining the light power level of the illuminating light beam and a beam splitter separating measuring light out of the illuminating light beam. The microscope permits determination of the light power level of the illuminating light beam with an apparatus for simultaneous color-selective detection of the measuring light.

Abstract: A portable microscopic visualization tube for determining ovulation from saliva assay is disclosed. A portable microscopic visualization tube for determining ovulation period from saliva having a microscopic lens module, a beam tube, an electric powered LED mechanism, and a tube cap, and the LED mechanism includes a button battery seat, characterized in that the mounting position of the edge of the button seat and the inner wall of the beam tube is correspondingly formed into engageable recessing block or protruding block such that the entire LED mechanism can be withdrawn from the beam tube to replace the button battery within the button battery seat.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transmission device for control of an optical viewing unit, for example a surgical microscope (1), in which control or functional checking for the microscope (1)—such as zoom, focus, working distance, positioning, tilt, pivot, video, etc.—is accomplished by bidirectional (preferably electromagnetic) radiation (8) between a first transmit/receive unit of an electronic control system (3) and a second transmit/receive unit (5) connected to the microscope (1).

Abstract: A fixed-high-power-switching microscope including a usual variable power optical system which can be switched to a fixed high power high resolution optical system, as necessary, is provided. The microscope includes a second optical axis for the fixed high power bypassing the variable power optical system. A prism (reflecting means) movable into and out of a first optical axis switches a viewing optical path from the first optical axis for the variable usual power to the second optical axis for the fixed high power, as necessary, providing a clear magnified image at high magnification and high resolution.

Abstract: A microscope having little damage such as deformation, discoloration or the like given to a sample is disclosed. This microscope comprises an illuminance reducing unit for reducing illuminance of an illumination light on the sample. Assuming that a time width where illuminance is at a level enough for displaying an image of the sample is TF, a time width where illuminance is lower than the level enough for displaying an image of the sample is TN, and a value &agr; is as follows: &agr;=TF/(TF+TN) the value &agr; is changed according to a velocity of a stage or the like. A monitor displays a still picture of the sample for a period of TN, the still picture being one before the time width TN.

Abstract: An endoscope system in which a normal observation image and a near observation image are photographed by a solid-state image sensor upon operation of a focus adjustment device for changing a focal length and a working distance satisfies: WDWide>WDtele fwide≧ftele where fwide is a focal length in a normal observation mode, WDwide is a working distance in the normal observation mode, ftele is a focal length in a near observation mode, and WDtele is a working distance in the near observation mode. Whereby, the endoscope system is provided with a wide depth of field so as to allow even a person without considerable skills to easily manipulate the system in the magnifying observation mode, is able to improve accuracy of diagnosis information by enhancing seeming resolution of the magnified information, and is able to improve accuracy of diagnosis by facilitating discussion among a plurality of medical doctors.

Abstract: A microscope objective that comprises an objective housing and contains several lens elements, at least one lens element being arranged displaceably in motor-driven fashion within the objective housing, is disclosed. A microscope and a method for imaging a specimen are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel type of microscope with an illuminating beam which is guided through the magnification power changer with optimized light intensity parallel to the observation beam. The invention specifically relates to a stereo fluorescence microscope comprising a set of quickly replaceable filters in interchangeable filter carriers. The novel design offers good light efficiency on the object. Malfunctions occurring as a result of intrinsic reflections or fluorescence phenomena inside the microscope are avoided.

Abstract: This invention discloses an optical system for enhancing the image from a microscope's high power objective lens that permits the simultaneous viewing of an object at both high and low magnifications through a single high power objective lens. This is accomplished by the mounting of high and low power lens train tubes on a microscope body and by directing a light source through a microscope's high power objective lens, then through beam splitters and then through said high and low power lens train tubes.

Abstract: The apparatus serves for the improvement of the optical qualities of optical microscopes. The microscopes comprise an illuminating unit (1), a condenser lens (3), a primary microscope objective (5) with an optical axis (X), and an ocular or a camera. The apparatus is insertable between the primary microscope objective (5) and the ocular or camera, and comprises a rotatable image visualizing plate (6) and a secondary objective (7). The secondary objective (7) is positioned on said optical axis (X) when the apparatus is inserted in the microscope and it has the same orientation as the primary microscope objective. The apparatus comprises also a tertiary microscope objective (16) that is arranged between the image visualizing plate (6) and the secondary objective (7). The tertiary microscope objective (16) is arranged on the same optical axis (X) as the secondary objective (7) and is inversely orientated with respect to the secondary objective (7).

Abstract: In a microscope system, illumination light rays are emitted from a light source. The illumination light rays are collimated and reflected from a mirror to the optical element array. The optical element array is located at a conjugate position of a specimen, and includes a plurality of micro mirrors arranged in a matrix form. The micro mirrors are individually controlled to selectively reflect the illumination light rays for illuminating the specimen. Thus, a predetermined pattern of the light rays is reflected from the optical element array to an objective lens. The illumination light rays are projected on the specimen from the objective lens and the specimen is illuminated by the predetermined illumination pattern.

Abstract: A 3-D viewing system is disclosed that enables multiple operators to share a common objective element while readily adjusting the orientation of images that are displayed to one or more moveable display units. The orientation of images that are displayed at a movable display unit can be made to automatically depend on the position/orientation of the display unit. Thus greater freedom in viewing postures is provided than previously available in 3-D viewing systems that share a common objective element, and each operator may view a 3-D image with proper perspective for his position/orientation. In order to reduce the number of optical components, the need to adjust optical components, and reduce costs, images from at least two different optical perspectives may be time-division multiplexed onto a single optical detecting device.

Abstract: A scanning microscope that defines an illumination beam path and a detection beam path, having an objective that is arranged in both the illumination beam path and the detection beam path, is disclosed. The scanning microscope is characterized by an interchangeable module that is also arranged in the illumination beam path and a [sic] detection beam path and that separates the illumination beam path and detection beam path at a fixed angular relationship to one another and comprises at least a first acoustooptical component. Also disclosed is an optical element having at least three ports.

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 multi-element folded optical train is provided for the increase of magnification of an optical microscope. The apparatus includes a plurality of reflective elements arranged to provide a continuous optical path through each of the reflective elements. The apparatus is employed as an intermediary between the objective and eyepiece of the optical microscope such that light from the objective passes through the various reflective elements and to the eyepiece.