Abstract: A total internal reflection fluorescence imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes: a metal nanostructure layer, which includes a metal thin film and a nanostructure formed over the metal thin film; a light source unit, which provides incident light such that the incident light is totally reflected off the metal nanostructure layer and an evanescent wave localized in a horizontal direction is created between the metal nanostructure layer and a specimen arranged over the metal nanostructure layer; and a fluorescence image extracting unit, which extracts and images a fluorescence signal generated by the specimen due to the evanescent wave localized in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A system providing consistent and intense sunlight to light-guiding structures for redirecting sunlight to the interior of a building is presented. One aspect of the inventive subject matter includes an illumination system comprising a solar redirector and at least one optical converter. The solar redirector can be configured to extend outward from a wall of a building and to redirect sunlight to exterior sections of the wall below the solar redirector. The optical converter can be configured to mount on at least one of the exterior sections of the wall and to receive the redirected sunlight and distribute the redirected sunlight to an interior of the building.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes: a first lens group having a negative refractive power; and a second lens group having a positive refractive power, provided in this order from an object side. Magnification is changed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group. The first lens group includes a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens, a third lens having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, provided in this order from the object side. The zoom lens satisfies predetermined conditional formulae.

Abstract: In an automated process of handling slides, such as in an imaging system, a slide hander must be able to get a hold of, lift up, and move slides, with tissues samples thereon, to multiple locations quickly and efficiently. To perform this function, the arm of the slide handler needs to be free to move from one location to the next and to advantageously respond in the event of encountering any unexpected or misplaced objects and/or other obstacles without jamming, being damaged and/or causing damage to a slide. A system described herein provides for the use of a slide handler having a crash head assembly with a spring-loaded flexible joint that may disengage if an unexpected obstacle is encountered and spring back to its proper location once the obstacle is cleared. Additionally, because the crash head assembly can flex, it is less likely to break or chip the glass slides.

Abstract: A microscope includes an illumination system, a stage, and an objective lens that forms an image of a specimen. The stage includes a fixed member whose position and inclination are fixed, a specimen holding member at least one of whose position and inclination is changeable, and a supporting member that supports the specimen holding member. A connection between the supporting member and the specimen holding member and a connection between the supporting member and the fixed member reside near sides of the specimen holding member. The microscope further includes an actuator that changes at least one of the position and the inclination of the specimen holding member with respect to the fixed member, and a buffer mechanism that suppresses transmission of any changes in the inclination of the specimen holding member to the actuator. The actuator and the specimen holding member are connected with the buffer mechanism interposed therebetween.

Abstract: Provided are a container tray in which a position and orientation of a container is hardly displaced from a predetermined position and orientation; a tray base used together with the container tray; and an observation unit. The container tray 8 includes a mounting plate 81 having a mounting surface 811 on which the container is to be mounted, an elastic body 82, and a biasing mechanism 83, 842. The elastic body 82 is arranged on the mounting surface 811 of the mounting plate 81 around a mounting region R where the container is to be mounted. The biasing mechanism 83, 842 is capable of switching states between a biased state in which the elastic body 82 is biased inward by applying a pressing force to the elastic body 82 from outside and a bias released state in which the bias on the elastic body 82 is released.

Abstract: A suction unit 10 includes a main body portion having a first surface 13 on which a semiconductor wafer W is arranged and a second surface 14 opposite to the first surface 13, and in which a through-hole 15 that penetrates through the first surface 13 and the second surface 14 is formed and a light transmitting portion having a light incident surface 16 and a light emitting surface 17, and which is fitted to the through-hole 15. Further, in the first surface 13, a first suction groove 13a for vacuum sucking the semiconductor wafer W to fix the semiconductor device D to the light incident surface 16 is formed, and in the second surface 14, a second suction groove 14a for vacuum sucking the solid immersion lens S to fix the solid immersion lens S to the light emitting surface 17 is formed.

Abstract: A filter holder for correlative particle analysis during imaging microscopy methods or methods of the elemental analysis including a receiving element with a filter support and a fastening unit. The plane filter support is designed as pressure piece and is movably arranged in the receiving element to be movable at a right angle to the surface of the filter for the purpose of tensioning the filter. The fastening unit includes a clamping element which encloses the filter at the circumference of the filter and is held by a tensioning element which is supported in the receiving element.

Abstract: A microscopy slide loading system includes a motorized cassette having a plurality of stacked slots for supporting microscopy slides and a motorized loading arm being displaceable between a retracted position and a loading position. The loading arm projects through a slide slot of the cassette to push a slide positioned therein, eject the slide from the cassette and load the slide onto a slot of a slide holder of a microscope. Loading of the slide into the slide holder allows analysis of the slide by the microscope. After analyzing the slide, a front portion of the loading arm having gripping fingers grip the slide and pulls the slide from the slide holder back into the cassette in order to reload the slide into the cassette. Another slide of the cassette can be loaded and unloaded in a similar manner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stage system, including: a stage on which to mount a slide glass; a projection block projected more than the thickness of the slide glass to the side of that surface of the stage on which to dispose the slide glass; and a pressing block which is provided on that surface of the stage on which to dispose the slide glass, is thicker than the slide glass, and presses toward the projection block the slide glass disposed between itself and the projection block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for nanoscopy comprising a salt microlens. The microlens-based nanoscope comprises a conventional microscope, a microlens, and a XYZ piezoelectric stage is shown (SEE FIG. 1A). The microlens is mounted on a Z-stage and can be driven to accomplish the scanning. The specimen is placed above the microlens which is a plano-convex lens. The set up employed for the Salt Microlens for Ultra-high Resolution Imaging (SAMURI) can use a halogen-tungsten lamp with a dominant wavelength at 600 nm. A magnified virtual image of the specimen is obtained when the distance between microlens and specimen is less than the focal length of the microlens. The virtual image can then be magnified by the microscope and captured by eyes or a CCD camera.

Abstract: A stage assembly, an imaging system that uses the stage assembly, and methods for using the stage assembly in a high content screening system. The stage assembly includes a stage having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface and an opening extending between the top and bottom surfaces to receive a specimen plate. The stage assembly also includes a calibration sample bay formed in the stage. A calibration sample can also be secured within the calibration sample bay.

Abstract: An environmental cell assembly for use in microscopy and spectroscopy applications, including: an environmentally sealed body assembly configured to selectively hold and contain a sample; a plurality of ports manufactured into one or more surfaces of the body assembly for one or more of evacuating the body assembly and injecting a gas into or removing a gas from the body assembly; a port manufactured into a surface of the body assembly for receiving a translating stage configured to move the sample within the body assembly; and a port manufactured into a surface of the body assembly for receiving one or more lenses utilized in a microscopy or spectroscopy application; wherein the one or more lenses are disposed adjacent the sample without intervening structures disposed there between. The cell assembly also includes a port manufactured into a surface of the body assembly for retaining a window and providing visualization of the sample.

Abstract: A sample holder for optical microscopy that incorporates sample holders typically used in electron microscopy to maximize the correlation between optical and electron microscopy images and data.

Abstract: In an automated process of handling slides, such as in an imaging system, a slide hander must be able to get a hold of, lift up, and move slides, with tissues samples thereon, to multiple locations quickly and efficiently. To perform this function, the arm of the slide handler needs to be free to move from one location to the next and to advantageously respond in the event of encountering any unexpected or misplaced objects and/or other obstacles without jamming, being damaged and/or causing damage to a slide. A system described herein provides for the use of a slide handler having a crash head assembly with a spring-loaded flexible joint that may disengage if an unexpected obstacle is encountered and spring back to its proper location once the obstacle is cleared. Additionally, because the crash head assembly can flex, it is less likely to break or chip the glass slides.

Abstract: A stage device includes a planar base to be fixed to a microscope, a first stage that is disposed on the base and is movable in a plane parallel to a principal surface of the base, a second stage that is disposed on the base and is rotatable about an optical axis of an objective lens which is perpendicular to a movement direction of the first stage, a specimen support that is placed on the second stage and is slidable in the plane, and a first clutch mechanism that is coupled to the specimen support and the first stage and is capable of transmitting power from the first stage to the specimen support. The first clutch mechanism does not transmit power from the first stage to the specimen support when the second stage rotates, and transmits power from the first stage to the specimen support when the first stage moves.

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

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

Abstract: A laser ablation chamber, which is suitable for use in a conventional laser-assisted micro dissection unit (LMD), in combination with the LMD allows for both quantitative spatially resolved nanolocal analysis and distribution analysis of element concentrations of a sample, and a microscopic detection of the surface topography of the same sample, in the nanometer range. Optionally, further examinations may follow, without having to remove the sample from a microscope slide bearing the sample. For the examination, a region of the sample to be analyzed is selected with the aid of a microscope of a LMD. For this purpose, the sample is located on the lower face of a cover slip (microscope slide), which also forms part of a laser ablation chamber mounted beneath the microscope slide and inside the LMD. A portion of the sample is ablated and analyzed.

Abstract: An immersion liquid retainer is an immersion liquid retainer used for an observation made with a microscope including an immersion objective. The immersion liquid retainer includes a fixing part in which a first penetration hole for viewing an observed portion of a specimen is formed and which is fixed to the specimen, and an immersion liquid retaining part where a concave part that has a bottom surface configured with a transparent flat plate and is intended to retain an immersion liquid is formed. The immersion liquid retaining part is joined to the fixing part or formed integrally with the fixing part so that the transparent flat plate covers the first penetration hole.

Abstract: An open top microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic slide carrier and one or more multiplexing stations is provided which allows sequential staining and imaging without the need for using or removing a coverslip on a mounted biological sample.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to a microscope includes a body, a revolvable structure, a stage and a driving device. The body has a slot for holding a liquid to form a horizontally level surface of the liquid. The revolvable structure partially accommodated within the slot and pivotally connected to the body is revolvable relative to the body about a horizontal axis and is for supporting a sample, which is immersed in the liquid. The revolvable structure penetrates through the body in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the horizontal axis and is pivotally engaged to the body through a sealing ring, which makes the liquid be held in the slot and stops the liquid from leaking in the horizontal direction. The stage supports the body. The driving device is disposed on the stage and connected to the revolvable structure to revolve the revolvable structure.

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

Abstract: A microscope slide separation device and method of storing microscope slides are disclosed. In specific embodiments, the microscope slide separation device can be placed a folded position that forms a cavity between at least first and second members configured to receive a microscope slide to which both a sample and a slip cover have been coupled. In particular embodiments, the first member may have at least one side configured not to stick to cover slip mounting media.

Abstract: A system and method of determining a focal position for an objective positioned at a measurement location of a sample holder in a microscopy imaging system are provided. The objective is moved to a position relative to the sample holder that corresponds to a distance between the objective and the sample holder. The sample holder has a conditioned upper surface. A focusing light beam is projected onto the sample holder when the objective is located at the position, and the objective focuses the focusing light beam on the sample holder. A reflected light beam resulting from reflection of the focusing light beam off the conditioned upper surface is observed. The focal position for the objective is determined based on the reflected light beam such that the objective produces an in focus image of a microscopy sample when the objective is located at the focal position.

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

Abstract: A microscope includes a stage that holds an object, an objective optical system that forms an image of the object, a light receiving unit that receives the image of the object, and a driving unit that moves the stage between a first position where the image of the object is taken and a second position that is different from the first position. The stage includes a nozzle from which a gas is ejected. The nozzle is provided such that the gas is ejected from the nozzle toward the objective optical system when the stage is at the second position.

Abstract: A stage control device including a position detection portion which detects a position deviation of a support plate relative to a reference position regulated by a convex portion provided in a stage, from an image of a scope including the support plate on which a sample is disposed and which is mounted on the stage; and a stage control portion that presses the stage, which is moved and controlled in a surface direction of the support plate so that the sample is in an imaging scope of an imaging element, from a position of a detection point in time in a direction corresponding to a position deviation at a pressing speed, and returns the stage up to a position of the detection point in time at a return speed slower than the pressing speed, when the position deviation of the support plate relative to the reference position is detected.

Abstract: There is provided a charged particle beam device which has a mechanism adjusting the shape of an ionic liquid droplet to be adhered to a sample and the thickness of a film of the ionic liquid, in such a manner that they are suitable for various types of observations by an electronic microscope and the like, and for processing using ion beams. The charged particle beam device is characterized in that it includes an ionic liquid holding member having an opening, an ionic liquid supplying unit for filling an ionic liquid into the opening, an observation unit for observing an adhesion state of the ionic liquid, and charged particle beam generating units for radiating charged particle beams, and can adjust the thickness of an ionic liquid droplet to be filled in the opening, when the charged particle beam device observes a sample in a state where it is floating in the ionic liquid by being dispersed into the ionic liquid or on a surface of the ionic liquid.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to addressing the complexity, sample geometry, and even pressure feedback issues associated with mechanical-only mechanisms. In particular, by utilizing one or more bellows capsules in an attenuated total internal reflection (ATR) instrument as a pressure vessel that can expand, contract, and tilt in all directions, the mechanisms disclosed herein can substantially apply uniform pressure to an interposed sample surface to include non-orthogonal sample surfaces, and thus conform to any sample geometry within such instruments. The result of the novel arrangements described herein is to provide a user with a convenient and simple interface for operating the interrogating ATR optical instrument.

Abstract: System and method for correcting a topography of an object being imaged by a multi-array microscope system. The object is forced to conform to a surface of the substrate supporting the object with a suction force and the topography of the chosen object surface is determined. The supporting substrate is bent with the use of force applied to the substrate with at least one actuator such as to reduce the deviations of the determined topography of the object's surface from a pre-determined reference surface by transferring the changes in the curvature of the supporting substrate to the object. In particular, the chosen surface of the object can be substantially flattened for ease of simultaneous imaging of this surface with multiple objective of the multi-array microscope.

Abstract: A tissue specimen stage is provided having a window with surface curvature upon which an excised tissue specimen is locatable, a carriage having a tissue specimen receptacle to which the window is mounted, and a platform supporting the carriage and presenting the window to the objective lens of an optical sectioning microscope. The carriage is mounted to the platform for movement along two rotational axes so that the carriage's movement follows the curvature of all or part of the window while maintaining the same optical geometry of the window with respect to the objective lens. The window has surface curvature adapted to at least approximate the shape or curvature of the non-histologically prepared tissue specimen to be placed thereupon.

Abstract: A slide transfer mechanism for a laser scanner device for imaging and measuring fluorescent samples is located in a sample plane on sample slides. The device includes a first optical system for providing laser beams and at least one detector for detecting an emission beam bundle coming from the sample, and a second optical system for forwarding the emission beam bundle to the at least one detector. The slide transfer mechanism has a motorized transport device for transferring a sample slide to the sample table and back. The storage unit of the laser scanner device includes a positioning plate for mounting a sample part magazine that has an open insertion side for storing sample slides in specific depositories. At a corner opposite to the insertion side, the sample part magazine includes a check opening for monitoring the presence or absence of a sample slide in a specific depository.

Abstract: A holding device for retaining a number of slides with tissue specimens is described. The holding device includes an elongated hanger having a clamping mechanism for releasable clamping of the microscope slides at their upper ends and for retaining the microscope slides in a hanging position with the surfaces of the microscope slides in said a common plane. The clamping mechanism preferably is arranged to cooperate with a loading rack having a supporting surface for support of the microscope slides in the common plane, the hanger being able to be introduced into the rack and the clamping mechanism being able to be actuated so that all microscope slides placed on the supporting surface are clamped in the holding device.

Abstract: A microscope includes an illumination system, a stage, and an objective lens that forms an image of a specimen. The stage includes a fixed member whose position and inclination are fixed, a specimen holding member at least one of whose position and inclination is changeable, and a supporting member that supports the specimen holding member. A connection between the supporting member and the specimen holding member and a connection between the supporting member and the fixed member reside near sides of the specimen holding member. The microscope further includes an actuator that changes at least one of the position and the inclination of the specimen holding member with respect to the fixed member, and a buffer mechanism that suppresses transmission of any changes in the inclination of the specimen holding member to the actuator. The actuator and the specimen holding member are connected with the buffer mechanism interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A filter holder for correlative particle analysis during imaging microscopy methods or methods of the elemental analysis including a receiving element with a filter support and a fastening unit. The plane filter support is designed as pressure piece and is movably arranged in the receiving element to be movable at a right angle to the surface of the filter for the purpose of tensioning the filter. The fastening unit includes a clamping element which encloses the filter at the circumference of the filter and is held by a tensioning element which is supported in the receiving element.

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

Abstract: An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be mounted on the moveable stage (20) of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal is carried on the support. The mounting (100) is preferably pivotally mounted on the support (40) so that it can be pivoted from a position in which the crystal lines on the axis of the microscope to a position in which a sample carried on the support can be observed visually. The mounting is arranged such that it can be returned reliably and reproducibly to its original position with the crystal on the axis.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to a microscope includes a body, a revolvable structure, a stage and a driving device. The body has a slot for holding a liquid to form a horizontally level surface of the liquid. The revolvable structure partially accommodated within the slot and pivotally connected to the body is revolvable relative to the body about a horizontal axis and is for supporting a sample, which is immersed in the liquid. The revolvable structure penetrates through the body in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the horizontal axis and is pivotally engaged to the body through a sealing ring, which makes the liquid be held in the slot and stops the liquid from leaking in the horizontal direction. The stage supports the body. The driving device is disposed on the stage and connected to the revolvable structure to revolve the revolvable structure.

Abstract: A microscope controller improves the operability in moving a stage when a stage moving operation is performed on a touch panel. The microscope controller for control of the operation of each electric unit configuring the microscope system solves problems by including: a touch panel unit having a display function and receiving an input by an external physical contact; a control unit for setting a display region as a function area by assigning an image for operation of the electric unit to a specified display region of the touch panel unit, and, when an input to the function area is detected, generating a control instruction signal for control of the electric unit depending on the contact operation to the electric unit corresponding to the function area, and a communication control unit for transmitting the control instruction signal to an external device for controlling the operation of the electric unit.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be mounted on the moveable stage (20) of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal is carried on the support. The mounting (100) is preferably pivotally mounted on the support (40) so that it can be pivoted from a position in which the crystal lines on the axis of the microscope to a position in which a sample carried on the support can be observed visually. The mounting is arranged such that it can be returned reliably and reproducibly to its original position with the crystal on the axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for single-handed control of a microscope are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first controller, such as a first rotary controller, is configured for manipulation by a hand of a user to adjust a position of a microscope stage. Another controller, such as a second rotary controller, is configured and arranged relative to the first rotary controller for manipulation by an extended finger of the same hand to review, e.g., scroll through, previously identified portions of a biological specimen while the user's first hand may or may not remain in contact with the first rotary controller. In this manner, the user may continue to review the previously identified specimen portions without having to look away from the microscope.

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

Abstract: A stage assembly, an imaging system that uses the stage assembly, and methods for using the stage assembly in a high content screening system. The stage assembly includes a stage having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface and an opening extending between the top and bottom surfaces to receive a specimen plate. The stage assembly also includes a calibration sample bay formed in the stage. A calibration sample can also be secured within the calibration sample bay.

Abstract: Provided is a specimen preparation apparatus capable of supplying a specimen from the specimen preparation apparatus to a specimen analyzer without burdening an operator. This specimen preparation apparatus comprises a stained specimen preparation part for preparing a specimen on a slide glass and staining the specimen, a keeping part for storing the stained specimen slide glass prepared in the stained specimen preparation part and a control part for deciding whether to supply the stained specimen slide glass to the keeping part or to the external apparatus.

Abstract: Control apparatus for a microscope having at least one rotary control member for adjustment of the microscope, the apparatus comprising: a motor; a coupling arrangement driven, in use, by the motor; and a mount arrangement to provide adjustable positioning of the motor relative to the control member, to cause the coupling arrangement to engage the rotary control member to cause the control member to be driven by rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A stage assembly, an imaging system that uses the stage assembly, and methods for using the stage assembly in a high content screening system. The stage assembly includes a stage having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface and an opening extending between the top and bottom surfaces to receive a specimen plate. The stage assembly also includes a calibration sample bay formed in the stage. A calibration sample can also be secured within the calibration sample bay.

Abstract: A sample positioning stage for positioning a sample to be inspected relative to an optical inspection device. The stage includes a first generally planar body on which a sample to be inspected can be carried and a second body directly coupled to the first body via bearings extending between them which constrain movement of the first body relative to the second body to a first plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of the first body. There is also provided a drive system being selectively operable in a first mode and a second mode.

Abstract: A scanning system that provides for detection based on supercritical angle fluorescence (SAF) is described. The system provides for the optical coupling of a sample to the scanner in a sandwich structure that uses first and second refractive index matching materials to provide optical coupling through the sandwich arrangement.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be fixed to the moveable stage (20) of the microscope. A mounting member (100) is carried by the support (40). A sample supporting member (60) is disposed below the location of the ATR crystal (106). The sample supporting member (60) is carried on the support (40) such that it can be moved to restricted extent relative to the support and defines a sub-stage which can be moved relative to the main stage (20) of the microscope.