Abstract: A new real-time confocal scanning laser macroscope is disclosed which images macroscopic specimens in reflected light and fluorescence or photoluminescence. The optical arrangement of a Nipkow disk microscope has been altered to include a telecentric scan lens which enables a large area of a specimen to be imaged with micron resolution, and when interchanged with a microscope objective, allows a small area of the specimen to be imaged with submicron resolution.

Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope comprises rotational disk having numerous pinholes arranged at positions that are conjugate with respect to an object to be observed, illumination optical system for implementing the pinhole-illumination for the object to be observed through the rotational disk, and observation optical system for conducting a reflected light beam from the illuminated object to be observed through the rotational disk and focuses the light beam to form an image for observation at a position that is conjugate with respect to the rotational disk, wherein the pinholes of the rotational disk are in equiangular arrangement on a parabolic spiral. The number of loops M of the parabolic spiral and the number of equiangular divisions in one round of the parabolic spiral at which the pinholes are located have any of relations: M:N=1:2, 3:2, 5:2, . . . , (2i-1):2, where i is an integer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a one-hand control unit for controlling movements in optical instruments. The control unit corresponds in its configuration essentially to a computer mouse and has a mouse roller ball 2 on its lower side, an additional rotational transducer 3 at the thumb position and two or three keys (5, 6, 7) on the side of the mouse lying opposite to the rotational transducer 3. The keys (5, 6, 7) are for actuation by the middle finger, index finger and little finger, respectively. The mouse roller ball 2 and the rotational transducer 3 preferably function to drive continuously movable elements such as the illuminating field diaphragm 13, the aperture diaphragm 12, the motorized focus 20 or a motorized object stage 21. The keys (4, 5, 6, 7) are provided for driving discretely adjustable elements such as the objective-lens turret 14 or the incident-light reflector turret 15 or for switching over between coarse drive and fine drive for a motor-driven focus drive.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes a light source for generating illumination light, an illumination optical system for illuminating an object to be observed with the illumination light, and an observation optical system for conducting an observation image of the illuminated object to an observation site. An objective change unit is arranged in the observation optical system for holding a plurality of objectives and for selectively inserting one of the objectives onto an optical path of the observation optical system. An optical system controller, which independently controls an optical element arranged in the illumination optical system and independently controls an optical element arranged in the observation optical system, includes a frame controller for controlling the objective change unit to insert one of the plurality of objectives selected onto the optical path of the observation optical system.

Abstract: A plurality of light emitting diodes are secured coaxially around the lower end of a cylindrical objective lens housing in radially spaced, circular arrays or rings disposed coaxially of the housing. The diodes in each ring are equi-angularly spaced from each other about the axis of the housing; and their light emitting ends overlie a work table so as to direct beams of light obliquely downwardly onto an object supported thereon. The diodes are energizable in generally pie-shaped sectors disposed coaxially of the housing so that arcuate clusters of diodes in a given segment may be illuminated to enable the orientation of the resultant illumination to be varied. The diodes of each ring may have their beam axes inclined at different angles to the axis of the housing so that the inclination of the projected illumination may be varied by selected energization of the rings; and a collimating lens may be secured over the light emitting end of each diode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for center masking a condenser lens of a transmitted light microscope to simultaneously maximize resolution, contrast and depth of field utilizing at a conjugate plane of the aperture plane where an image of the rear aperture of the condenser lens has been created, a plurality of light sources to illuminate two or more of the faces of a multi-face mirror in the shape of a pyramid which moves relative to the light sources to vary the amount of center masking continuously over a range including zero while directing multiple oblique beams of light onto the objective lens.

Abstract: A microscope (1) is described which has an adjustment knob (2) arranged on the microscope (1) and an encoder (6) assigned to the adjustment knob (2). The encoder (6) is connected to a control device (3). The control device (3) is assigned positioning motors (4, 14, 18, 23, 24) for motorized setting of different microscope functions. The preselected function which can be controlled by motor is preselected via switches (7, 11, 15, 19, 21) arranged on the microscope (1) and triggered via the control device (3) as a function of the encoder pulses generated by the adjustment knob (2). The motor drives are assigned sensors (8) which detect the operating position of the activated microscope function. When the maximum operating position is reached, a braking motor (9) connected to the adjustment knob (2) is activated via the control device (3) and renders the rotation of the adjustment knob (2) more difficult up to complete blockage.

Abstract: The invention provides a switchable bright-field transmitted-light illumination device for microscopes which provides for in each case two objectives of different apertures in both switch positions a simple automatic illumination arrangement without adjustment of the position and of the opening of the diaphragms. For this purpose, in an illumination device, comprising light source 1, collector 2, field diaphragm 3, aperture diaphragm 4 and basic condenser 7 with removable condenser head 8 or condenser lens element 11, which can be switched in alternatively to the condenser head 8 between the aperture diaphragm 4 and the basic condenser 7, the aperture diaphragm 4 is arranged between the collector 2 and the field diaphragm 3 and is imaged by an intermediate imaging by at least two auxiliary lenses 5 and 6 into a plane 12 conjugate with the aperture diaphragm 4.

Abstract: An optical instrument having an eyepiece unit through which a viewer is able to view an object, a switch provided on the eyepiece unit and a control device controlling an optical system in the eyepiece unit based on an output signal from the switch.

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: A universal folding condenser (1) with a support plate (4), which is fastened on the microscope and has an arm (4') angled off through 90.degree., is described. Arranged in the support plate (4) is a fixed lens (5). Above the support plate (4) there is provided a first, rectangularly shaped swivel arm (7) with a condenser head and a lens element (2) for optional introduction into the path of the illuminating beam (11). Arranged underneath the support (4) is a second, rectangularly shaped swivel arm (8) with a second lens element (3). The two swivel arms (7, 8) are forcibly coupled by means of a shifting linkage (6) in such a way that, for objectives with low magnification, the two lens elements (2, 3) are introduced into the path of the illuminating beam (11) and, for objectives with high magnification, only the condenser head is introduced into the path of the illuminating beam (11).

Abstract: In a microscope with a laser illumination, the laser beam is coupled in over the reflected light illumination beam path from the rear side of the microscope stand. The reflected light illumination reflectors are received in a slide with several switching positions. In one switching position, the slide is fitted with a fully reflecting mirror. The position of the fully reflecting mirror is monitored by sensors. The sensors are coupled to a shutter, such that the laser beam is only released when the fully reflecting mirror is inserted. The microscope is constructed as a laser scanning microscope of the inverted type. Sensors are also provided on a pivotable arm that supports a housing. The housing holds a transmitted light condensor and folding mirror above the object stage, and protects against inadvertently looking into the laser light.

Abstract: A new confocal scanning beam laser microscope or imaging system is disclosed which has a very wide range of magnification, which allows a small area of a specimen to be imaged at submicron resolution at high magnification, and a large area of the specimen, up to several centimeters in size, at lower resolution. The optical arrangement of a confocal scanning beam laser microscope is used to produce high resolution images of a small area of the specimen, using a microscope objective that is not telecentric. A telecentric laser scan lens is interchanged with the optical subassembly of the microscope comprised of the microscope objective and unitary telescope above it, such that the scanning beam now passes through the telecentric laser scan lens to produce lower resolution images of a much larger area of the specimen, and the imaging system acts as a confocal scanning beam macroscope.

Abstract: An epi-illumination system for microscopes is described, which contains an epi-illumination module (18) that consists of a Smith-splitter with an integrated telescope system (14). The telescope system (14) corrects in the sense of "Shift-Optics" differences in length that appear when switching from a modularly-designed 45 degree neutral splitter (20) to a Smith-splitter containing module (18). The arrangement of the two lenses in the telescope system (14) is such that the positive member (15) is directed towards the mirror (4) of the Smith-splitter and the negative member (16) is directed towards the light source (6). Alternatively it is also possible to install a telescope system with an opposite lens arrangement in a module (19), containing a 45-degree neutral splitter, if this is exchanged for a Smith-splitter containing module, so that the negative member (16) is directed towards the 45-degree neutral splitter (20) and the positive member (15) is directed towards the light source (6).

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus for a microscope provided with a revolver capable of selecting one of a plurality of objective lenses and inserting it into an observation optical path comprises an illuminating light source for illuminating a sample, a power source for supplying electric power to the illuminating light source, and a control device responsive to the changeover of the revolver from one of the objective lenses to another to stop the supply of electric power to the illuminating light source.

Abstract: A transmission type confocal laser microscope has a transmission side objective lens below a specimen stage, which comprises an objective lens unit which is movable in an optical axis direction and a fixed relay lens unit, wherein movement of the objective lens unit for focus adjustment will not change the optical path after the relay lens unit. The microscope further includes an optical path switch on an optical path in the rear of the transmission side objective lens for switching between the optical path to the concave mirror and another optical path; and a target in a position optically equivalent to the concave mirror, which is illuminated by a light source for adjusting the transmission side objective lens for focusing.

Abstract: A surgical light interruption device which interrupts light transmitted to a patient's eye through a surgical microscope at a predetermined interval for a predetermined frequency to reduce light toxicity to the patient's eye during surgery. The device uses an oscillator to intermittently block and allow transmission of light from a light source used in conjunction with the surgical microscope, thereby interrupting light which is transmitted to the patient's eye.

Abstract: A surgical microscope apparatus comprising a supporting device for suspending a microscope, a detecting device for detecting a location of a pupil of an observer relative to an observing pupil of the microscope and a drive controller for automatically moving the microscope, on the basis of a result detected by the detecting device, so that the observing pupil of the microscope is coincident with the pupil of the observer. This surgical microscope apparatus requires no manual handling for shifting the microscope and permits a continuous observation of a visual field without fail.

Abstract: A high sensitivity microscope is applicable to observe a dark specimen image or an image of a specimen unsuitable for irradiation by strong illumination light, through the use of an image intensifier capable of being inserted into a viewing optical system. The viewing optical system comprises an objective and an eyepiece, and an image intensifier may be disposed in the viewing optical system such that an acceptance plane thereof is located at an image plane of the objective and such that an optical output plane thereof is conjugate with an image plane of the eyepiece. Also, an optical path switch mechanism may be provided to guide light from the objective selectively through an optical path including the image intensifier or through an optical path not including the image intensifier. Alternatively, the image intensifier or a relay lens may be selectively inserted into the viewing optical system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for machine reading of identification marks incised on semiconductor wafers. Preferred apparatus makes it possible to view the mark either as a dark image on a light background (which is in itself novel) or as a light image on a dark background. Using a television camera and an optical character reader, the viewing method can be changed automatically if a preset confidence level is not reached, and provides a signal if neither method (or the combination of the two methods) gives a satisfactory result. The method is particularly useful for successively reading the identification marks on a number of wafers stacked in a cassette. Preferred apparatus for such reading comprises a wafer support which can be pushed upwards from underneath the cassette so that the wafer to be identified rests on one ledge of the support and the adjacent wafer rests on another higher ledge on the support, thus exposing and precisely locating the identification mark on the first wafer.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus for microscopes is constructed so that a simultaneous observation is made by overlapping an image of a sample formed by transmitted illumination with that formed by reflected fluorescence, in which signals for designating the simultaneous observation at once cause a second shutter for the transmitted illumination to be closed and a first shutter for the reflected fluorescence to be opened, the brightness of the sample image formed by the reflected fluorescence is measured by a light-detecting element disposed in an optical path for observation, and after a light-adjusting member for the transmitted illumination is controlled so that, based on data outputted from a memory device corresponding to a measured value, the brightness of the sample image by the transmitted illumination in the simultaneous observation is balanced with that of the sample image by the reflected fluorescence, the second shutter is opened.

Abstract: An infrared microscope is disclosed which provides illumination for reflectance by the sample. This illumination follows a path through the objective toward the sample, and again, after reflection, through the objective toward the detector The reflectance illumination is directed toward the objective and sample by a fully reflective mirror, which injects approximately half of the interferometer beam into the microscope, and permits substantially all of the reflected beam to reach the detector.

Abstract: An adapter which can be easily attached to and detached from the body and objective lens of a conventional microscope to provide fluorescence microscopy capability. The adapter includes (a) a main body which is for mounting between the objective lens and body of a microscope in the axis of the viewed light path, (b) a compact, high intensity light source disposed to a side of the viewed light path which includes a condensing lens and an excitation filter, and (c) a dichroic mirror disposed at the intersection of the radial light path from the light source and the axial viewed light path, the mirror reflects excitation wavelengths, but passes emission wavelengths, and (d) an emission filter disposed between the mirror and the microscope body when the adapter is mounted in a microscope.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for increasing depth sharpness and improving the resolving power of magnifying systems, particularly microscopes. An image-forming layer is inserted between the primary and secondary magnifiers of a composite magnifying system, in the optical path, after the object, in the image plane of the primary magnifier. The image-forming layer is comprised of independent particles dispersed in a medium, the index of refraction of which differs from that of said particles. The image-forming layer is disposed in the image plane, whereby the images coincide with the object plane of the secondary magnifier.