Abstract: A system including confocal and triangulation-based scanners or subsystems provides data which is both acquired and processed under the control of a control algorithm to obtain information such as dimensional information about microscopic targets which may be “non-cooperative.” The “non-cooperative” targets are illuminated with a scanning beam of electromagnetic radiation such as laser light incident from a first direction. A confocal detector of the electromagnetic radiation is placed at a first location for receiving reflected radiation which is substantially optically collinear with the incident beam of electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a spatial filter for attenuating background energy. The triangulation-based subsystem also includes a detector of electromagnetic radiation which is placed at a second location which is non-collinear with respect to the incident beam. This detector has a position sensitive axis.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope using a wavefront converting element suffers minimum off-axis performance degradation and allows the wavefront converting element to be controlled by a simple method. Further, a pupil relay optical system is simple in arrangement or unnecessary. A laser scanning microscope includes a laser oscillator 6 and a wavefront converting element 5 for applying a desired wavefront conversion to a laser beam 15 emitted from the laser oscillator 6. An objective 7 collects a wavefront-converted approximately parallel laser beam 17 emerging from the wavefront converting element 5 onto a sample 9. A detector 29 detects signal light emitted from the sample 9. An actuator 8 scans the objective 7 along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: A method for imaging an object is provided that includes generating and directing optical energy onto a portion of an object. The portion of the object is cut while the optical energy is directed onto the portion. Reflected optical energy from the object is received by an optical element while the portion is being cut such that data relating to an image associated with the portion is communicated to the optical element.

Abstract: A method for generating a multicolor image of a specimen with a microscope is disclosed. The method comprises the step of determining the spacing of the focal planes of a first illuminating light beam that has a first wavelength and of a second illuminating light beam that has a second wavelength; the step of scanning the specimen with the first illuminating light beam and generating a first partial image; the step of performing a relative displacement, by an amount equal to the spacing, between the specimen and the focal plane of the illuminating light beam of the second wavelength; the step of scanning the specimen with the second illuminating light beam and generating a second partial image; and the step of superimposing the first and second partial images to yield the multicolor image. Further more a microscope and a confocal scanning microscope are disclosed.

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

Abstract: The confocal microscope has two matched light sources: a first light source (1) and a second light source (8). The light sources (1,8) are arranged to illuminate opposite sides of a modulating mask (6). The light either reflecting from or passing through the modulating mask (6) is then used to illuminate an object O supported on a mount (5). The microscope is arranged so that the object O is mounted on the opposite side of the mask (6) to a camera (7) such that light reflected from the object O passes through the modulating mask (6) before being captured by the camera (7). Subtraction of the image produced using the second light source (8) from the image produced using the first light source (1) generates a confocal image that contains substantially less noise than is possible with available confocal microscopy apparatus.

Abstract: A microscope (1), preferably a confocal laser scanning microscope, having at least one light source, a detector, and two objectives (2), one of the objectives (2) being arranged on each of the two sides of the specimen plane (3) and the objectives (2) being directed toward one another and having a common focus; and at least one beam splitter (5) for distributing the illuminating light (6) to the objectives (2), and a beam recombiner (5) for combining the detected light (7) coming from the objectives (2), being provided in the illumination/detection beam path (4), is characterized, for selectable, subsequent implementation of ultrahigh-resolution microscope techniques, in that the objectives (2) and the beam splitter/beam recombiner (5) are grouped into a modular assembly (8); and the assembly (8) has an interface (9) for connection to the illumination/detection beam path (4) of the microscope (1).

Abstract: A transmitted-light illumination arrangement for microscopes has at least one LED which is arranged interchangeably in or in the vicinity of the plane of the aperture diaphragm of illumination optics or in front of Köhler illumination optics. The transmitted-light illumination arrangement advantageously has at least one LED light source radiating in the illumination direction of the microscope and at least one LED light source radiating in the opposite direction, wherein the light of the oppositely radiating light source is deflected in the illumination direction via deflecting mirrors, preferably a concave mirror, this light source being located in the focal point thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent substrate, more particularly of glass and having multiple thin layers on which are successively deposited; i) a first dielectric material layer, ii) a first layer having infrared reflection properties, particularly based on metal, iii) a second dielectric material layer, iv) a second layer having infrared reflection properties, particularly based on metal, v) a third dielectric material year, characterized in that the thickness of the first layer having infrared reflection properties corresponding to about 50 to 80%, particularly 55 to 75% and preferably 60 to 70% of that of the second layer having infrared reflection properties.

Abstract: A number of k sets of light transmissive members are prepared, k being an integer of 2 or greater, where each set thereof may consist of a plurality of first light transmissive plates and a plurality of second light transmissive plates, and (K+1) third light transmissive plates having a greater thickness than those of the first and the second light transmissive plate. A composite plate member is produced by alternately arranging and bonding one set of the plurality of first light transmissive plates and the plurality of second light transmissive plates to each of the spaces between the (K+1) third light transmissive plates, and alternately arranging a plurality of polarization separating films and a plurality of reflecting films on each interface in the composite plate member.

Abstract: An illuminator and a reflectance microscope or system utilizing the illuminator for eliminating the need of a special light source, a reflected light vertical illuminator, and condenser lenses. The system may utilize an ordinary light source. The illuminator includes embedded chromophoric and diffusion properties. The illuminator further has a size and a shape to enable proximate positioning relative to the specimen to be observed. The illuminator further has an opening or aperture through which the specimen may be viewed. As such, the opening of the illuminator permits placement of the illuminator between the objective lens and the specimen. This positioning enables reflectance type or dark field microscopy with a simple and durable illuminator without complex optics. A method of using the reflectance microscope includes illuminating a specimen by the illuminator on a same side of the specimen as is the objective lens relative to a plane of the specimen normal to the optical path.

Abstract: An epi-illumination system for an array microscope. For Kohler illumination, illumination light sources are placed, actually or virtually, at the pupils of respective individual microscope elements of an array microscope. In one Kohler illumination embodiment, the light source is a point source comprising the tip of an optical fiber placed on the optical axis at the pupil of its corresponding microscope element. In another Kohler illumination embodiment, the illumination light is provided by a reflective boundary placed on the optical axis of a corresponding microscope element. For critical illumination the light sources are placed at locations conjugate with their respective object planes so as to image the light sources thereon.

Abstract: A microscope includes an apparatus for superimposing a focusing mark image (3a) in a main beam path for assisting an observer in adjusting an eyepiece of the microscope (1) to correct for vision defects. The superimposition apparatus can be put into operation only as necessary, thereby preventing accommodation by the observer's eye. This invention relates preferably to a surgical microscope having a diopter adjustment system.

Abstract: A microscopic illumination apparatus to be applied to a microscope selectively using plural types of objective lenses having different magnifications comprises a light source, a collector lens for making a light flux emitted from the light source a substantially parallel light flux, and at least two fly-eye lenses disposed side by side along the optical axis at the back of the collector lens. A space between the two fly-eye lenses is variable in accordance with an objective lens to be used in the microscope.

Abstract: A scanning microscope is disclosed, through which a sample (14) can be illuminated and detected. An illumination pinhole and a detection pinhole (10, 16) are respectively arranged in the illumination beam path and in the detection beam path (8, 15), an optical component (4), which generates at least to some extent spectrally broadened illumination light, is provided in the illumination beam path (8). A polarization-independent and wavelength-independent beam splitter (11) is arranged in a fixed position in the illumination beam path and the detection beam path (8, 15).

Abstract: An optical device and microscope of simple construction are provided that are capable of readily attaining super resolution with good focusing performance. This comprises a light source means (2, 3, 4, 6, 8) that generates light of multiple different wavelengths, a light condensation means to focus lights of these multiple wavelengths on an object 1, and an emitted light detector means 17 for detection of light emitted from said object 1. Among said multiple lights of different wavelengths generated from said light source means, at least one light forms a condensed light pattern of multiple spatial modes. These multiple lights are condensed upon said object 1 such that part of the region of the condensed light pattern of said multiple spatial modes is made to spatially overlap with the condensed light pattern of the other light.

Abstract: The illuminating device for a surgical microscope, with the aid of which the illumination is performed through the microscope objective (4), is defined in that the angles of the incident light (1a, 1b) with the optical axis (11) of the microscope objective (4), and also the intensity of the various light beams can be varied independently of one another with the aid of two reflecting elements (9, 10) which can be displaced independently of one another.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a motorized microscope with a plurality of electrically controlled microscope components such as objective nosepiece, filter turret, diaphragms, light path switching arrangements, illumination device, etc. which influence the light path in the microscope. In order to make an image from any situation visible quickly in the eyepieces, it is provided that an operator control, when actuated, moves all of these components into a position such that the light path from the illumination device to the eyepieces is opened.

Abstract: An arrangement and corresponding method are provided for coupling radiation, preferably laser radiation, into a scanning head with a scanning unit in at least two dimensions. The radiation is focussed on an object via a microscope objective via at least one light-conducting fiber which is coupled with the scanning head. A collimato is arranged downstream of the fiber end at the scanning head for collimatiing the radiation exiting in a divergent manner at the fiber end.

Abstract: An epi-illumination interference attachment according to Mirau that can be mounted onto the objective (1) of a microscope as a two-ray interference attachment module (12). The attachment has a reference mirror (6) and several beam splitters (8a-8d) which are affixed on a carrier such as turret plate (7). The beam splitters (8a-8d) show specific reflection/transmission characteristics (R/T values), especially 20/80, 35/65, 43/57, and 50/50. The reference mirror (6) shows, for instance a reflection value of 85 percent. With the installation according to this invention, objects (4) with very different reflection values can be observed and measured without any contrast problems.

Abstract: The invention concerns a (stereoscopic) surgical microscope having a system for reflecting in illumination in which the illumination beam path (5) is switched into the microscope's main beam path via a deflection element (1) whose diameter exceeds the spacing of the observation beam paths (3). Different illumination angles for the specimen (10) can be generated by means of a stop (8) that is shiftable radially about the axis (5a) of the illumination beam path (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for an object in an ultramicropore space has a lens system so that an incidence point P with the diameter in a range from 0.3 to 0.7 mm comes to a position in a range of 12 to 17 mm away from the front side of an object lens 30. At the same time a reflection mirror 15 is positioned with a reflection mirror mounting member 8 formed with the V-shaped form in front of the object lens 30 and a reflection mirror holding frame 8 at the position of the incidence point. This arrangement is useful fir example to observe a soldered section 52 of an IC chip 50 by inserting this reflection mirror 15 into the ultramicropore 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: A confocal scanning microscope, having a light source (1) for illuminating an object (6), which is to be investigated, with exciting light (2), at least two detection channels exhibiting detection light (8, 9) being produced, is configured with regard to a high signal yield and a high signal-to-noise ratio in such a way that at least two detection channels can be optically superimposed by means of a superimposing device (11, 12,13, 15,17, 18).

Abstract: A scanning microscope (100) possesses at least one illumination source (4), an objective (10), and at least one detector (12). An optical circulator (14) is arranged between the at least one illumination source (4), the objective (10), and the at least one detector (12). In a further embodiment, the scanning microscope (100) is configured as a confocal scanning microscope.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microscope having a power and data transfer system between a microscope body (1) and an external control device or peripheral device (2, 13). According to the present invention, the power line (4) and data line (7) are laid physically together and are of integrated configuration, thus implementing a lightweight connection comprising few individual cables.

Abstract: A laser microscope according to the present invention comprises a laser light source which generates a laser beam, an optical path split portion which has a plurality of optical path split elements with different characteristics for separating the laser beam irradiated to a sample from the laser light source and light returned from the sample and includes a selection mechanism to switch these optical path split elements on an optical path, an imaging lens to converge light which is returned from the sample and is separated in the optical path split portion, a spectrophotometric detection unit which obtains spectral data of light from the sample, an optical fiber which guides light from the sample imaged by the imaging lens to the spectrophotometric detection unit, wherein an incident end face of the fiber is arranged to a position substantially conjugate to the sample, and a transfer mechanism which moves an incident end face of the optical fiber in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of light incident on t

Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device for a surgical microscope comprising a main objective lens (1) surrounding a main optical axis (6) and an illumination optical system (2) having a light source (3). Two prisms (4, 5) are provided between the main objective lens (1) and the illumination optical system (2). During operation, the first prism (4) causes part of the light flow from the illumination optical system (2) to be deflected at a small angle to the main optical axis (6) and the second prism (5) causes another part of the light flow from the illumination optical system (2) to be deflected along the main optical axis (6). Both prisms (4, 5) are arranged next to each other. The light entry surfaces (7) of both prisms face the illumination optical system (2) in such a way that light flux can be independently adjusted for the two prisms (4, 5). This results in a compact design and a good light flux distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed are microscopes, preferably confocal microscopes, that include aperture plates having one or more arrays of apertures defined therein. The aperture plate is disposed in a position within an incoming light beam such that the incoming light beam is spatially filtered as it passes through the array of apertures. In certain embodiments of the invention, the aperture plate is fixed and immovable, in others, the aperture plate is translatable within a plane of confocality.

Abstract: A direct-view optical microscope system is provided which uses high-energy light from a phenomenon known as non-resonant Raman scattering to illuminate a living biological specimen. One embodiment of the system combines two discrete light sources to form a combined incident light source for the microscope. The system includes a method and apparatus for modulating the intensity of the scattered light when two light waves are combined to produce the incident light. By varying the frequency of the two source light waves, the intensity of the combined Raman-scattered light can be modulated to achieve finer resolution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of integrated angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscopes. An integrated angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope according to the present invention advantageously exploits an angled-dual-axis confocal arrangement in a silicon micro-machined and fiber-coupled construction, rendering it enhanced resolution, faster scanning, higher sensitivity, highly integrated and scalable structure. An integrated angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope thus constructed can be readily miniaturized for many applications, such as in vivo imaging of biological specimens. One or two illumination beams may be employed in an angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope of the present invention, thereby providing an assortment of reflectance and fluorescence images. An angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope of the present invention is further capable of providing various line and cross-sectional-surface scans with fast speed and high precision.

Abstract: A system including confocal and triangulation-based scanners or subsystems provides data which is both acquired and processed under the control of a control algorithm to obtain information such as dimensional information about microscopic targets which may be “noncooperative.” The “non-cooperative” targets are illuminated with a scanning beam of electromagnetic radiation such as laser light incident from a first direction. A confocal detector of the electromagnetic radiation is placed at a first location for receiving reflected radiation which is substantially optically collinear with the incident beam of electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a spatial filter for attenuating background energy. The triangulation-based subsystem also includes a detector of electromagnetic radiation which is placed at a second location which is non-collinear with respect to the incident beam. This detector has a position sensitive axis.

Abstract: The optical system of the microscope includes a close-up optical system that faces an object, a pair of imaging optical systems that take object light rays passing through regions of the close-up optical system, and an illuminating optical system that guides illumination light emitted from a light source to illuminate the object. Each lens included in the close-up optical system has a semicircular shape in which one side is cut out. The close-up optical system is held in a first lens barrel, and the illuminating optical system is held in a second lens barrel. The second lens barrel is arranged in the cutout space of the close-up optical system inside the first lens barrel. A light shielding member is attached to the second lens barrel to prevent a leak of the illumination light through grooves formed on the second lens barrel.

Abstract: A number of k sets of light transmissive members are prepared, k being an integer of 2 or greater, where each set thereof may consist of a plurality of first light transmissive plates and a plurality of second light transmissive plates, and (k+1) third light transmissive plates having a greater thickness than those of the first and the second light transmissive plate. A composite plate member is produced by alternately arranging and bonding one set of the plurality of first light transmissive plates and the plurality of second light transmissive plates to each of the spaces between the (k+1) third light transmissive plates, and alternately arranging a plurality of polarization separating films and a plurality of reflecting films on each interface in the composite plate member.

Abstract: A laser microscope includes a laser light source for emitting a coherent light beam, a scanning optical system for scanning the light beam emitted from the laser light source, an objective lens for condensing the light beam from the scanning optical system in a sample, a plurality of optical path-dividing members, a switching mechanism for holding the optical path-dividing members such that the optical path-dividing members can be selectively inserted in the optical path, an incident-light illumination light source for emitting an incident-light illumination beam, an observation section for enabling light to be observed through the selected optical path-dividing member, and a detector for enabling light, which the sample emits upon irradiation of the coherent beam, to be observed through the selected optical path-dividing member.

Abstract: A confocal optical system includes a pinhole aperture for creating a point light source from light that is transmitted through an optical fiber, an optical scanning system for scanning the light that emerges from the pinhole aperture, and an optical focusing system. The optical focusing system focuses light from the pinhole aperture via the optical scanning system onto or within an object such that the pinhole aperture and the focused light region at the object are at conjugate positions of the confocal optical system. Thus, light reflected by the object is returned to the optical fiber via the pinhole aperture. At least one of the optical scanning system and the optical focusing system includes a reflective surface region and a region that has a different reflectivity than the reflective surface region.

Abstract: An optical viewing device in which image data are reflected in, for example a surgical (stereo)microscope, such that the brightness or color (temperature) of the overlaid information can be adapted to the needs of the viewer by means of a controllable reflected-in image illumination system (18). The additional light source can be used, simultaneously with and/or alternatively to the main light source (11), as illumination for a transmitted-light display (21). Alternatively, the light (2, 6) reflected from the specimen (13) can also be used as a light source for the display (21). This makes possible automatic regulation of the brightness of the reflected-in image for each portion of the overlaid image. Instead of a transmitted-light display (21), an incident-light display, for example a D-ILA, can also be used for the reflected-in image.

Abstract: The stereoscopic microscope includes a common close-up optical system that faces an object, a pair of zoom optical systems that form a pair of primary image, a pair of field stops, a pair of relay optical systems that relay the primary images to form a pair of secondary images, an inter-axis distance reducing element, an image taking device and an illuminating optical system. The object light rays incident on the close-up optical system form the primary images having predetermined parallax at the field stops through the zoom optical systems. The inter-axis distance reducing element reduces the inter-axis distance of the right and left light rays. The primary images are re-imaged by the relay optical systems as the secondary images on the adjacent regions on the single image taking surface of the image taking device, respectively.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a viewing arrangement (1) having a viewing optic (3) for viewing an object (5) along a viewing beam path. The viewing arrangement (1) also has an illuminating apparatus (9) for illuminating the object (5) along an illuminating beam path running segment-wise transversely to the viewing beam path. A beam-shaping illuminating element (15) is mounted in the segment of the illuminating beam path running transversely to the viewing beam path. The illuminating element (15) is asymmetrical relative to the illuminating beam path.

Abstract: A system for imaging is disclosed herein. The system has a numerical aperture (NA) preferably greater than 0.9, but greater than 0.65, and uses unique illumination entrances to collect reflected, diffracted, and scattered light over a range of angles. The system includes a catadioptric group, focusing optics group, and tube lens group. Illumination can enter the catadioptric optical system using an auxiliary beamsplitter or mirror, or through the catadioptric group at any angle from 0 to 85 degrees from vertical. The high NA catadioptric system can also have a relayed pupil plane, used to select different imaging modes, providing simultaneous operation of different imaging modes, Fourier filtering, and other pupil shaping operations.

Abstract: The optical system of the microscope includes a close-up optical system that faces an object, a pair of imaging optical systems that take object light rays passing through regions of the close-up optical system, and an illuminating optical system that guides illumination light emitted from a light source to illuminate the object. Each lens included in the close-up optical system has a semicircular shape in which one side is cut out. The close-up optical system is held in a first lens barrel, and the illuminating optical system is held in a second lens barrel. The second lens barrel is arranged in the cutout space of the close-up optical system inside the first lens barrel. A light shielding member is attached to the second lens barrel to prevent a leak of the illumination light through grooves formed on the second lens barrel.

Abstract: The invention concerns an illumination device having a stop (8) for a surgical microscope, whose stop (8) is capable of covering a partial light flux of the illumination system, the coverage not being accomplished completely as a result of the particular configuration of the stop.

Abstract: This invention provides an angled-dual-axis confocal scanning microscope comprising a fiber-coupled, angled-dual-axis confocal head and a vertical scanning unit. The angled-dual-axis confocal head is configured such that an illumination beam and an observation beam intersect optimally at an angle &thgr; within an object. The vertical scanning unit causes the angled-dual-axis confocal head to move towards or away from the object, thereby yielding a vertical scan that deepens into the object, while keeping the optical path lengths of the illumination and observation beams unchanged so to ensure the optimal intersection of the illumination and observation beams in the course of vertical scanning. The angled-dual-axis confocal scanning microscope may further comprises a transverse stage, causing the object to move relative to the angled-dual-axis confocal head along transverse directions perpendicular to the vertical direction, thereby producing a transverse scan.

Abstract: A microscope having a device for selectable illumination for observation of a specimen by ultraviolet light, DUV light, or by visible light, and which can keep ultraviolet light and visible light separate. The microscope includes a visible light illuminating system to illuminate a specimen with visible light, an ultraviolet light illuminating system to illuminate the specimen with ultraviolet light, a visible light observation system to observe the specimen illuminated by the visible light illuminating system, and an ultraviolet light observation system to observe the specimen by the ultraviolet light illuminating system.

Abstract: A confocal microscope has a light source, an optical system, a rotating disk, an image capturing device such as a CCD camera, a subtracting section, a detector, and an adjusting device. The rotating disk has a transparent portion transmitting a light beam emitted from a light source and a light-permeable portion which includes transparent and opaque areas. The image capturing device alternately captures a composite image and a bright field image while the rotating disk is rotating. A subtracting section performs subtraction between a newest captured image and a last captured image, whenever a newest captured image is captured, so as to extract the confocal image. The detector detects at least once whether the captured image is the composite image or the bright field image. The adjusting device adjusts the plus/minus sign of the confocal image on the basis of a result detected by the detector.

Abstract: The arrangement for spectrally sensitive reflected-light and transmitted-light microscopy comprises an illuminating device which illuminates a sample under study in two dimensions. A scanning device is provided which respectively directs the light emanating from a detection region of the sample under study onto a multiband detector. In one embodiment, the illuminating device is arranged in such a way that it transilluminates the sample in two dimensions. In a further embodiment, the illuminating device illuminates the sample in two dimensions in reflected light.

Abstract: A light microscope with lenses projecting the rear aperture of an objective lens at a location remote from the objective lens enhancing high power stereoscopic viewing and photographing with a binocular (two eyepiece) viewing system and when combined with an iris in close proximity to the projected image of the rear aperture of the objective lens, controls flare.

Abstract: An insulated double glazing having the following layers in the following order: first dielectric layer, first layer with infrared reflection properties, second dielectric layer, second layer having infrared reflection properties, and third dielectric layer. The thickness of the first layer with infrared reflection properties is 50% to 64% of that of the second layer having infrared reflection properties.

Abstract: An illumination device for attachment to an optical imaging apparatus, such as a microscope, that provides bright, even illumination throughout the part under observation. The illuminating device has a diffuse light source, an optical element to receive part of the light from the light source and reflecting part toward the object under observation, and reflecting elements to collect and redirect stray light rays toward said object. The reflecting elements can be angled parallel to the beamsplitter and transverse with the part.

Abstract: A fluorescent microscope to observe a specimen dyed with a plurality of fluorescent dyes comprises a first filter which selectively transmitting light from a light source, a dichroic mirror which leads an light transmitting the first filter to the specimen and transmits fluorescence from the specimen, a second filter which selectively transmitting fluorescence from the specimen, a changing section to change at least one transmitting wavelength bands of the first filter and the second filter, a detection section to detect the wavelength selected by the changing section, an imaging element which images an image of the specimen, and an identification section to identify a kind and the position of the fluorescent dyes with which the specimen is dyed based on a wavelength data obtained from the detection section before and after a change in the transmitting wavelength band by the wavelength change section and a change in the image according to a change in the transmitting wavelength band.