Abstract: The invention relates to a guide system for optical systems, particularly for zoom systems, with which optical assemblies such as lenses and/or sets of lenses can be moved along an optical axis (16). The proposed guide system comprises a housing (2) defining an internal diameter (1) and extending along the optical axis (16). A slide (3) is configured to accommodate an optical assembly (19) and has a sleeve segment (15) which has on its outside a plurality of contact surfaces (4) for abutment on the internal diameter (1) of the housing (2). For defined movement of the slide (3) along the optical axis (16) a drive unit (12) is provided. A device (17) serves to hold the sleeve segment (15) at the internal diameter (1), another device (18) serves to secure the slide (3) against rotation in the cross-sectional area of the housing. The guide system according to the invention provides guidance which is absolutely free from play and low in friction.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of the present invention positions an optical component among several optical components, which are arranged in a receiving device. The receiving device is rotatable about an axis or movable along a direction in such a way that an optical component is positionable and the receiving device is retainable in a retention position. A coding device having first and second coders and two detectors are also provided. Either the coding device or the two detectors are associated with the receiving device and the two detectors detect the first and second coders at spatially different points. The coding device is embodied in such a way that the two detectors detect the first coder simultaneously when the receiving device is in a retention position and no more than one detector detects the second coder when the receiving device is in a region between two adjacent retention positions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for switching a swivelable holder between two positions, e.g., for switching microscope objectives. The actuating element and swivelable holder are connected by two stretchable connection elements which serve to transmit the rotational movement and to fix the swivelable holder in the switching positions.

Abstract: A kit of parts for assembling an optical element for use in a lithographic apparatus includes a large number of different small pieces which direct light into respective regions of the pupil plane of the radiation system and/or change the polarization state of incident radiation. The previously manufactured pieces arc selected and assembled into an optical element to rapidly create a desired intensity distribution. The optical element may also be disassembled and the pieces reused.

Abstract: A digital camera module (10) for a portable electronic device includes a barrel (12) containing a first lens (122) and a second lens (124), a holder (15) containing part of the barrel, and an image sensor (141) below the first and second lenses. The first and second lenses are adhered in the barrel by an ultraviolet (UV) adhesive. The UV adhesive is cured between 75° Celsius and 100° Celsius for 20 to 30 minutes, and is volatilized little. The image sensor is packaged with a Ceramic Leaded Chip Carrier. The structure of the digital camera module can effectively protect the first and second lenses thereof from moisture, dampness, and oxidation.

Abstract: A positioning device disposes an optical component with respect to an optical axis. The positioning device has a lens carrier (14) for housing the lens (18) or other optical component, a mount (12) supporting the lens carrier along the optical axis, the lens carrier movable within the mount in at least one direction. An extended member is coupled to the lens carrier for setting the position of the carrier within the mount. A movable cam urges the extended member to effect movement in the at least one direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering a light beam having a first lens element, a second lens element, a spacer element and a lubricative optical fluid. The first lens element has a convex lens surface. The second lens element has a concave lens surface. The concave lens surface is placed adjacent the convex lens surface of the first lens element. The spacer element is placed between the convex lens surface and the concave lens surface for maintaining the first and second lens elements at a fixed distance from each other. The spacer element also defines a generally incompressible gap between the first and second lens elements, yet allows the first and second lens elements to move with respect to one another. The lubricative optical fluid is disposed within the gap.

Abstract: An optical component mount with beam deviation monitoring and beam guiding system using such optical component mounts. The optical component mount has a location for mounting an optical element thereon for operating on the beam and at least one sensor attached to the optical mount at a predetermined position to at least one mode of the optical component mount. The predetermined position is selected depending on the state of the optical component mount. The state can be, e.g., a vibrational state or a thermal expansion state. The predetermined position is chosen near or at an anti-node of at least one mode contributing to the state. The state of the optical mount is determined based on the signals obtained from the at least one sensor, which can be an accelerometer in the case of monitoring a vibrational state or a temperature sensor in the case of monitoring a thermal expansion state.

Abstract: In an apparatus for positioning an optical element in a structure, particularly in an objective housing of a projection objective for microlithography, the optical element is connected to the structure via fastening elements. The position of the optical element is set by means of adjusting fasteners. The fastening elements are arranged in such a way and the adjusting fasteners can be actuated in such a way that the optical element can be tilted about three mutually independent axes and can additionally be displaced in a translatory fashion in one axial direction.

Abstract: A Z-axis assembly for an optical inspection apparatus, comprises a base; first and second parallel rails secured to the base; a plurality of carriages supported by ball bearings for translatory movement parallel to the Z-axis on each of the first and second rails; the carriages having a line of travel through the ball bearings in contact with their respective rails; a support structure secured to the carriages; and a lens assembly secured to the support structure such to be movable parallel to the Z-axis, the lens assembly including an optical axis parallel to the Z-axis and the lines of travel, and optical axis and the lines of travel lie on a common plane.

Abstract: An optical assembly comprising an optical cube. A first optical transmitter chip and a first optical receiver chip are mounted on one surface of the optical cube. A first continuous printed circuit board is soldered to electrical surfaces of the first optical transmitter chip and the first optical receiver chip opposite the optical cube. A second optical transmitter chip and a second optical receiver chip are mounted on an opposite surface of the optical cube. A second continuous printed circuit board is soldered to electrical surfaces of the second optical transmitter chip and the second optical receiver chip opposite the optical cube. The first optical transmitter chip is optically aligned with the second optical receiver chip through the optical cube. The second optical transmitter chip is optically aligned with the first optical receiver chip through the optical cube.

Abstract: A lens assembly adapted to be connected to a CRT and affixed to mounting structure in a projection television cabinet. The lens assembly includes a tubular lens mount having a longitudinal axis and at least a first optical lens element mounted along the longitudinal axis. A tubular focus mount extends along the longitudinal axis and fastening and locking structure connects the lens mount to the focus mount after a focus mount position is obtained. A CRT coupler is formed integrally with the focus mount and includes structure for securing a CRT and for securing the coupler to the mounting structure within the television cabinet. A second optical lens element is mounted to the CRT coupler. A flexible bladder may be used to contain coolant fluid between the CRT and the coupler.

Abstract: An improved optical module mounted body is disclosed. The optical module mounted body comprising: a mounting board having a mounting surface with a plurality of holes formed thereon; an optical module placed on the mounting surface; and a securing member configured to secure the optical module, the securing member including an upper portion, a plurality of legs extending from the upper portion and a plurality of engagement portions formed at ends of the plurality of legs, wherein the optical module is held between the mounting board and the securing member such that the upper portion of the securing member abuts on an upper surface of the optical module, and wherein the plurality of legs are inserted in the plurality of holes, the plurality of engagement portion engaging with the mounting board.

Abstract: A device capable of exchanging image projection directions includes an inner body provided with an internal reflector having adjustable angles and a horizontal light permeation aperture; an accommodation tube formed at the rear of the inner body and an upper light permeation aperture formed at the top of the accommodation tube; an outer accommodation barrel disposed with at least two connection openings at the outer periphery thereof; and an inner accommodation barrel disposed with a long orifice and an outer connection opening, and is further flexibly connected into the outer accommodation barrel and fixed around the accommodation tube, such that the long orifice corresponds to the upper light permeation aperture for forming a path for light beams. The connection openings are connected to binocular connection barrels having various magnifications in advance, thereby viewing images with different magnifications and viewing ranges without dismantling or assembly of the binocular connection barrels.

Abstract: An optical subassembly which positions an optical device is described. The optical device is mounted on a plurality of spheres or columns placed in predetermined positions in an upper surface of a substrate. The predetermined positions include pits formed in the upper surface of the substrate. The spheres may be the same size or may be of varying sizes. Pits or grooves also may be formed in the optical device. The optical device may be formed with flexure positions to assist in holding it in place on the spheres. Further, the optical device, spheres and substrate may be metallized or formed of metal and the surface tension forces of solder may be utilized to position the optical device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing different types of image display apparatuses includes the steps of producing a lens barrel (housing) for holding optical elements, the lens barrel being commonly usable in the different types of image display apparatuses; selecting one type of image display apparatus to be manufactured among the different types of image display apparatuses; and manufacturing the one type of image display apparatus using the common lens barrel. In the image display apparatus manufactured by the method mentioned above, selective use of retainers for retaining the optical elements included in the illumination system, when arranging at least two different types of the illumination systems varying according to whether or not microlenses are provided, enables the different types of illumination systems to be easily constituted in accordance with the characteristics of image display elements varying according to whether or not microlenses are provided, and so on.

Abstract: An optical module apparatus comprises a first optical element, a first member which holds the first optical element, a second optical element placed near the first optical element, and a second member which holds the second optical element. A plurality of wedges are arranged at a plurality of positions between the first member and the second member thereby to hold the relative positions of the first optical element and the second optical element.

Abstract: To provide a lens select device in which an iris image pickup function may be incorporated into a portable information terminal at low cost. In a lens support member 34, a small gear 51 is formed at one end part of the lens support member, and a lens-housing boss part 53 and a lens-housing boss part 54 are juxtaposed at the other end part. By turning the small gear 51, the first lens or the second lens is aligned with a predetermined position. An operation part 59 is provided. When the operation part 59 engages with the small gear 51 and turns the same, the operation part 59 switches the lens which is aligned with the predetermined position to the first lens or the second lens. Preferably, the operation part 59 is an arcuate member which turns about a position, which is different from a rotational center of the small gear 51, and it is an inscribed gear 59 having teeth formed in the inner peripheral surface, which are in mesh with the small gear 51.

Abstract: An opto-mechanical platform for supporting truncated optical elements having at least one substantially flat side surface is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the opto-mechanical platform may be realized as an apparatus for supporting truncated optical elements having at least one substantially flat side surface. Such an apparatus may comprise a platform having a substantially flat surface area for supporting the substantially flat side surface of the truncated optical elements. Such an apparatus may also comprise at least one substantially vertical wall formed on at least a portion of the platform for providing mechanical rigidity to the platform.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for storing a microscope tool is presented. A magnetic tool holder comprises a block or other device having at least one borehole having a magnet attached to the bottom of the borehole. A block is defined as a article or item having sufficient mass to maintain stability when at least one borehole is formed in it. The apparatus may further comprise an insert configured to line the wall or walls of the borehole. A microscope assembly is also shown having at least one borehole formed into the microscope and including a magnet attached to the bottom of the borehole. Also shown is in combination, a magnetic tool holder and a microscope objective tool comprising a block having at least one borehole, a magnet securely attached to the bottom of the borehole and at least one microscope objective tool fabricated at least partly from ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: In the zoom lens apparatus, a lens frame for a variable-magnification lens or a correcting lens is configured of an inner frame and an outer frame, and any focus blurring due to variations in wavelength of subject light can be compensated for accurately by shifting the inner frame holding the lens relative to the outer frame. The correcting lens frame for the correcting lens is configured of the inner frame and the outer frame, and the inner frame is shifted according to variations in wavelength of subject light. Any focus blurring can be thereby compensated for steplessly according to variations in wavelength of subject light.

Abstract: A microscope includes a lens holder for receiving a lens. A locking device is provided that affixes the received lens so that the lens cannot be removed without authorization.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes front and rear sub-lens groups; front and rear sub-lens group frames for supporting the front and rear sub-lens groups, respectively; a lens frame shift mechanism for causing the front sub-lens group frame and the rear sub-lens group frame to move relative to each other to obtain the mutually close position and the mutually distant position; a first lens group positioning surface provided on the front sub-lens group frame for positioning the front sub-lens group by contacting with a portion of a rear surface of the front sub-lens group; and a second lens group positioning surface provided on the rear sub-lens group frame for positioning the front sub-lens group by contacting with a portion of a front surface of the rear sub-lens group.

Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a rotatable rotor with a ring shape, a first magnetic pole portion, a second magnetic pole portion, and a coil for magnetically exciting the first magnetic pole portion and the second magnetic pole portion. The rotor has magnet portions which are divided along a circumferential direction and differently magnetized. The coil is disposed radially of the rotor. The condition of −0.333X+0.7>Y is satisfied where Y is a ratio of a central angle of each first magnetic pole portion relative to a central angle of each magnetized pole in the magnet portion, and X is a ratio of an outer circumferential length of each magnetized pole in the magnet portion relative to a thickness of the magnet portion in a direction of the rotational axis.

Abstract: A cam mechanism of a lens barrel includes first and second ring members; cam grooves having similar cam diagrams formed on one of the first and second ring members, and cam followers formed on the other thereof. Two groove/follower groups positioned at different positions in a circumferential direction. The cam grooves of one of the two groove/follower groups intersect cam grooves of another of the two groove/follower groups, respectively. One of the following is satisfied: (a) a distance in the optical-axis direction between front and rear groove/follower sets of one of the two groove/follower groups is different from that between the front and rear groove/follower sets of another of the two groove/follower groups, and (b) a distance in the circumferential direction between two front groove/follower sets of the two groove/follower groups is different from that between two the rear groove/follower sets of the two groove/follower groups.

Abstract: A method for detecting the maximum quantity of possible positions of an exchangeable nosepiece or slide in a microscope system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: starting from an initial position which corresponds to a first position, adjusting the maximum position; comparing the maximum position to a position registered in a memory; and storing the results of the comparison.

Abstract: An external helicoid thread is provided which includes a helicoid thread having a first ridge whose both flanks are formed at a first flank angle, and a helicoid thread having a second ridge whose both flanks are formed at a second flank angle which is different from the first flank angle. An internal helicoid thread is kept in screwed-state engagement with the external helicoid threads. And in a lens barrel obtained using a connection based on such internal and external helicoid threads, the connection provided by these helicoid threads can remain secured even if a sudden outside force is applied to the lens barrel.

Abstract: An optical module apparatus comprises a first optical element, a first member which holds the first optical element, a second optical element placed near the first optical element, and a second member which holds the second optical element. A plurality of wedges are arranged at a plurality of positions between the first member and the second member thereby to hold the relative positions of the first optical element and the second optical element.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for mounting optics of a light curtain. The apparatus includes a light curtain optics housing and a mounting bracket. The housing includes a curved mounting surface that extends along a portion of a length of the housing. The mounting bracket is connected to the curved mounting surface such that the mounting bracket can be longitudinally adjusted with respect to the optics housing. The mounting bracket includes a curved surface and an adjustment slot that allow for rotational adjustment with respect to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A pre-scan optics assembly for a laser scanning device. A housing includes reference surfaces against which a pre-scan lens is directly referenced, to restrain the lens against rotation about the optical axis and the scan axis of the device. A lens carrier is attached to the housing and has an abutment surface to restrain the lens against rotation about the process axis of the device. A spring clip secures position of all components in the desired locations. The optical system aperture is formed directly in a wall of the lens carrier.

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 lens barrel includes a lens movable in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens barrel, a movable member that holds the lens, a fixed member that regulates movement of the movable member in a direction of the optical axis, at least three balls placed between the movable member and the fixed member, each of the balls being held in a holding portion formed in one of the movable member and the fixed member so as to roll and to allow relative movement between the movable member and the fixed member, an urging member that urges the movable member toward the fixed member, a driving unit that generates force for moving the movable member in two directions orthogonal to the optical axis, and a position detecting mechanism for detecting positions of the movable member in the two directions orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens assembly especially adapted for mounting in an environment subject to variable temperatures, such as a projection television set, including an automatic thermal focus adjustment. A lens mount is formed from a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and carries at least one lens. A focus mount is coupled to the lens mount and is formed from a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. Adjustment and locking structure couples the lens mount to the focus mount and allows the lens mount to be axially adjusted relative to the focus mount and then locked in position. In use, the relative axial positions of the lens mount and focus mount automatically change to move the lens in response to a temperature change in the environment of use and after being locked in position with the adjustment and locking structure.

Abstract: A combinational object lens 3 constructed of a first lens 1 and a second lens 2 is formed. The first lens 1 and a first lens barrel 4 for retaining the first lens 1 are fixed by bonding to a second lens barrel 5 for retaining the second lens 2 only via a spacer layer 7 made of an adhesive. With this arrangement, residual aberration of the combinational object lens constructed of a plurality of lenses can be reduced, and this further enables the compacting and reduction in weight of the object lens barrels, an object lens barrel drive unit and an optical information recording and reproducing unit.

Abstract: An eye cup moving mechanism of an optical device includes: an eyepiece lens holding barrel that houses and holds an eyepiece lens; an eyepiece outer casing that is capable of sliding against an external circumferential portion of the eyepiece lens holding barrel; and an eye cup cover provided at the eyepiece outer casing. The eyepiece lens holding barrel includes a first regulating member provided at the external circumferential portion thereof; and the eyepiece outer casing includes a second regulating member that comes in contact with the first regulating member to regulate a movement of the eye cup cover along an optical axis of the eyepiece lens.

Abstract: Electrostatic levitation and positioning of a charged, spherical micro-lens to steer an optical beam from a transmit fiber to a receive lens/fiber pair. Bundled arrays of N fibers and lenses provide a switch having a switch count that scales linearly in the port count N.

Abstract: A system and method for high resolution digital x-ray imaging which utilizes a single imaging sensor is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the system utilizes a single imaging sensor and includes one or more redirecting elements to redirect a predetermined portion of light from an imaging screen onto the imaging sensor.

Abstract: A lens barrel in accordance with the present invention includes a stationary frame and a second group-of-lenses holding frame. One end of a second group-of-lenses main rod is attached to the second group-of-lenses holding frame with a sleeve between them so that the second group-of-lenses main rod can freely slide. Furthermore, one end of the second group-of-lenses sub rod is fixed to the second group-of-lenses holding frame. Consequently, the other ends of the second group-of-lenses main rod and second group-of-lenses sub rod are attached to the stationary frame so that the second group-of-lenses main rod and second group-of-lenses sub rod can freely slide. Consequently, the second group-of-lenses holding frame is borne while being permitted to freely advance or withdraw relative to the stationary frame without rotating by the main rod and second group-of-lenses sub rod. The main rod is fixed to neither the stationary frame nor lens holding frame but can slide by itself.

Abstract: A mirror assembly security system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly and a light module removably positioned within the exterior mirror housing. The light module is moisture impervious and includes an enclosure, a light-emitting opening in the enclosure, a light source in the enclosure radiating light through the light-emitting opening, and a cover for the light-emitting opening adapted to direct the light from the light source to an area adjacent the vehicle to create a security area. The light source may be supported by a pair of electrical contacts provided on the inner surface of the enclosure. The enclosure wall supporting the electrical contacts is preferably flexible, in order to allow the light source to be captured by the contacts. Attachment of the cover adds rigidity to the enclosure to prevent further flexure of the enclosure wall in order to firmly retain the light source.

Abstract: A mirror assembly 3 is detachably attached to an open side 2a of a mirror housing 2 in an exterior rearview mirror system (exterior mirror) 1 that is mounted outside a vehicle body. A mirror 4 in the mirror assembly 3 is comprised of a transparent glass plate 5 with a reflective coating 6 spread over a back surface of the transparent glass plate 5, through which reflective coating 6 electric current passes to produce an antiglare effect. The electric current passing through the reflective coating 6 is controlled using a sensors 8, 9 that detect intensity of light from surroundings and rearward of the vehicle body, and an electronic control circuit 10 that compares intensity of light detected in each sensor 8, 9 to automatically adjust an antiglare level of reflection in the reflective coating 6. A battery 11 that is connected with the electronic control circuit 10 and supplies electric current into the reflective coating 6 is provided in the mirror housing 2.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens system (39) which is suitable for use in an optical scanning device (15) for reading and/or writing an optically scannable record carrier (9). The lens system comprises a first lens or objective lens (45) and a second lens or auxiliary lens (47) which is small in comparison with the first lens and which, in operation, is positioned between the first lens and the record carrier. The lenses are arranged in a lens holder (61).

Abstract: A scanner has a base, at least one guiding member and an optical module. The base has a changing zone. The guiding member is connected onto the base. The optical module has a movable lens mount, a swing mechanism rotatably connected to the lens mount, a first lens provided on the lens mount and a second lens also provided on the lens mount. When the optical module moves into the changing zone of the base, the swing mechanism is pushed by the guiding member and then rotates so that the lens mount connected to the swing mechanism begins to move until one of the first and second lens provided on the lens mount moves to a predetermined position for use.

Abstract: A lens barrel 1 for accommodating a lens optical system has a fixed frame 6 formed with an opening 10 for attaching thereto a holding frame 13 for holding a CCD 12, whereas the holding frame 13 is attached to the opening 10 such that the CCD 12 is positioned at an image plane 11 of a taking optical system set at the opening 10. Since the holding frame 13 is constructed separately from the fixed frame 6, the latter can be molded easily, whereby the peripheral face of the fixed frame 6 can be formed with a tapered-in cam groove 9. Therefore, an intermediate cylinder 7 can stably be held by way of the cam groove 9, whereby the strength against external forces can be improved.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a front lens frame supporting a front lens group; a rear lens frame supporting a rear lens group; a cam ring including first and second cam grooves which receive first and second cam followers of the front and rear lens frames; the first and second cam grooves include first and second moving sections and first and second accommodation sections, respectively; and a guiding mechanism allowing the rear lens frame to relatively rotate when the second cam follower engages in a vicinity an accommodation position of the second accommodation section, and prohibiting the rear lens frame from relatively rotating while allowing the rear lens frame to only relatively move in the optical axis direction when the second cam follower engages in a section of the second cam groove which includes the second moving section and excludes this vicinity.

Abstract: A catadioptric lens barrel structure for a projection exposure apparatus includes a pair of lens barrels. Each lens barrel has an optical axis and comprises a plurality of sub-barrels which are serially aligned along the corresponding optical axis. The optical axes of the lens barrels run substantially parallel to each other. A reticle is placed in front of an entrance end of a first one of the lens barrels and a wafer is placed in front of an exit end of the second lens barrel. A support structure supports each sub-barrel. A plurality of adjustment articles may be provided to correct the substantially parallel alignment of the optical axes. Each sub-barrel is spaced apart from the others in the series so that each sub-barrel can slide in and out of alignment with the corresponding optical axis and each sub-barrel can be individually attached to or detached from the support structure.

Abstract: The objective changing-over apparatus of the present invention mounted on a microscope, for changing over two objectives on the microscope optical axis by electric power using a driving source comprises a rotation member to fit the two objectives, and two abutting members for limiting the rotation range of the rotation member, a transmission mechanism having a rotation area including a transmission area for transmitting the force and larger than the rotation range of the rotation member limited by the abutting member, for transmitting the force from the driving source to the rotation member by the transmission area.

Abstract: In a lens barrel having a first holding tube holding a first optical system and a second holding tube holding a second optical system, support rollers are arranged at three parts on the periphery of each of the first and second holding tubes to restrain these optical systems from tilting. The positions of the support rollers are arranged to be respectively shifted from the centers of gravity of the holding tubes either forward or rearward in the direction of an optical axis.

Abstract: An objective lens assembly includes: at least two groups of lenses having a common optical axis; and at least two lens holders for respectively holding the at least two groups of lenses, wherein each of the lens holders has an end face perpendicular to the optical axis, and the lens holders are positioned such that the end face of one of the lens holders faces the end face of the other lens holder, and a gap between these end faces is filled with an adhesive agent for adhering the lens holders to each other.

Abstract: An optical microscope has a revolver for selectively inserting a plurality of objective lenses including a low-magnification (very-low-magnification) objective lens on an optical axis for observation light. In fluorescence observation using the low-magnification objective lens, the effective diameter of an observation optical system is set larger than that of an illumination optical system. With this arrangement, fluorescence observation using the low-magnification objective lens can be stably performed. A cube unit having a plurality of cubes corresponding to the respective microscopic methods is arranged in the optical microscope. An auxiliary lens serving as a very-low-magnification objective lens is mounted in this cube unit. The auxiliary lens can be automatically used in observation using the very-low-magnification objective lens. With this arrangement, a compact optical microscope excellent in operability can be realized.

Abstract: A position detecting device is used with a lens barrel that includes an optical system, an optical system driving member that moves at least part of the optical system, and a driving force transmitting member that transmits rotational driving force from a driving source to the optical system driving member. The position detecting device includes a linear moving member that converts rotational motion of the driving force transmitting member into a linear motion, and a detector that detects the linear movement of the linear moving member. This arrangement is capable of providing a very compact structure. The driving force transmitting member can be a rotating shaft-like member that rotates through at least one rotation. The position detecting device also can include a backlash eliminating member (e.g., a spring) that eliminates a backlash between the driving force transmitting member and the linear moving member.