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: An exchangeable condenser system for a phase-contrast illuminating system (12) for microscopes has a plurality of different light rings (5), arranged on a nosepiece plate (4), assigned to the condenser optical system (6). The condenser optical system (6) can be exchanged independently of the light rings (5), the focal lengths F.sub.n of the exchangeable condenser optical systems (6) being selected relative to one another in the ratio F.sub.n =F.sub.0 *X.sup.n and the average diameters D.sub.n of the light rings (5) being selected relative to one another in the ratio D.sub.n =D.sub.0 *X.sup.n, where X>0, n=0,1,2,3, . . . .

Abstract: A contrasting process and device allows a relief contrast to be obtained for microscopic amplitude and/or phase objects. The input aperture (L') of the condenser (2) is partially and asymmetrically masked at the same time as an image (S') of a sector diaphragm (S) is generated in the output aperture (L") of the objective lens (3), a phase segment (8) of a phase plate (7) covering the image (S') at least partially. The size of the phase segment (8) may be adapted to the size of the image (S') cutout; it may however also be substantially smaller. In the latter case, the sector diaphragm (5) may have additional attenuating sectors (D) made of semi-transparent material with a defined attenuating factor, for example 15%. The process and device are suitable for transmitted light and/or reflected light microscopy in a normal or inverted beam path.

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

Abstract: A bright-field transmitted-light lighting device for a microscope is described, for the homogeneous illumination of the lighting field diaphragm (LF) at large fields and small apertures and for the uniform illumination of the aperture diaphragm (AP) at small fields and large apertures, A raster plate (3) is disposed in the lighting beam path (7). The raster plate (3) is designed as a plane-parallel, transparent plate which exhibits a circular rastering at the center.

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

Abstract: An optical component is described which can be introduced into a finite or an infinite beam path and which is provided with a spectrally selective filtering characteristic and thus as the same time compensates the thereby generated geometric-optical negative influence by appropriate image-relevant compensation measures. The optical component exhibits at least one optically effective, non-planar surface. It has, for example, the property of completely absorbing visible light and of being completely transparent to shorter- or longer-wavelength light. In addition to this, a laser autofocus arrangement known per se is described, which is equipped with the optical component according to the invention, whereby a dark field illumination with an incident light microscope can be achieved while maintaining the autofocus function.

Abstract: An incident light, bright-field, Kohler illuminating device for a microscope which reflects an illuminating beam into one half of the pupil of a microscope objective, which avoids vignetting of the field of vision without requiring especially short objectives, which can provide illumination with polarized light, and which can be added to any transmitted light microscope including microscopes with revolvable turrets without requiring a specially designed microscope stand.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the position of a field stop with respect to a microscope substage illuminator includes a carrier for slidably mounting the field stop on the illuminator so as to move in a direction transverse to the optical axis of the illuminator. An annular element controlling the aperture of the field stop is pivotally mounted within the carrier and is coupled to a knurled ring projecting radially and upwardly from the diaphragm carrier. The knurled ring is in turn pivoted within the diaphragm carrier and preferably carries a circular line inscribed thereon which is concentric with the field stop in order to facilitate adjustment of the field stop.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for automatically realizing Kohler's Principle of Illumination in microscopes and the like in which the illumination means of the microscope is adjusted to fully take Kohler's Principle of Illumination into account. Optimization is achieved by sensing the extent of illumination, preferably with photoelectric type sensors, which generate signals proportional to the brightness of illumination. The signals are converted into control signals in a converter stage which in turn control motor means which serve to adjust the openings of at least one diaphragm and/or the focal length of an illumination pancratics in the system. The sensing means are adjustably positioned so that it may be moved depending on the objective and magnification used.

Abstract: An incident light illumination device or instrument for generating dark and light field illumination, wherein at least one optical component is used in a region where the dark field and the light field illumination beams are kept in separate zones. The inner zone is traversed by the light field beam and is endowed with an index of refraction other than the outer zone which is traversed by the dark field beam. A switchable stop for eliminating the light field beam is provided in the vicinity of the optical component (s). The index of refraction of the inner zone of at least one optical component is selected so that the light source is reproduced in the rear focal plane of a microscope objective. A mirror designed as a rotating body and reflecting from its inside surface is located in the optic path from the optic component to the microscope objective and this mirror solely reproduces the dark field beam as a light ring in a plane on the rear side of the microscope objective.