Abstract: Brightness information with a wide dynamic range is acquired and observed while preventing degradation of a detector.

Abstract: Provided is a photodetector including a light receiving portion that accumulates and outputs the amount of received observation light as electric charges; an offset portion that adds an offset signal to an output signal from the light receiving portion; an AD conversion portion that AD-converts the sum of the output signal and the offset signal obtained by the offset portion; a control unit that controls the AD conversion portion such that it A-D converts said sum when the light receiving portion is charged and discharged; and an offset correcting portion that corrects the offset signal by adjusting the value of the offset signal contained in the black level value such that the black level value obtained by the AD conversion portion from said sum when the capacitor is discharged becomes equal to a predetermined target value.

Abstract: Brightness information with a wide dynamic range is acquired and observed while preventing degradation of a detector.

Abstract: There is provided a confocal microscope system configured so as to be compact in size without the needs for a large space, requiring fewer spots for adjustment. In the confocal microscope system, respective units making up the confocal microscope system are integrally housed in a protection cabinet covering the confocal microscope system, and when a specimen disposed opposite to an objective lens is moved toward an external face of the protection cabinet, a side of the external face, adjacent to an opening through which the specimen is taken in, or out, is defined as a front face, the Nipkow disk type scanner unit is disposed backward of the objective lens.

Abstract: Provided is a photodetector including a light receiving portion that accumulates and outputs the amount of received observation light as electric charges; an offset portion that adds an offset signal to an output signal from the light receiving portion; an AD conversion portion that AD-converts the sum of the output signal and the offset signal obtained by the offset portion; a control unit that controls the AD conversion portion such that it A-D converts said sum when the light receiving portion is charged and discharged; and an offset correcting portion that corrects the offset signal by adjusting the value of the offset signal contained in the black level value such that the black level value obtained by the AD conversion portion from said sum when the capacitor is discharged becomes equal to a predetermined target value.

Abstract: There is provided a confocal microscope system configured so as to be compact in size without the needs for a large space, requiring fewer spots for adjustment. In the confocal microscope system, respective units making up the confocal microscope system are integrally housed in a protection cabinet covering the confocal microscope system, and when a specimen disposed opposite to an objective lens is moved toward an external face of the protection cabinet, a side of the external face, adjacent to an opening through which the specimen is taken in, or out, is defined as a front face, the Nipkow disk type scanner unit is disposed backward of the objective lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electro-chemical machining involve: supplying a pulse having a predetermined current density between an electrode and an object to be worked while they face each other with a static electrolyte therebetween; detecting the current of the pulse supplied between the electrode and the object to be worked; comparing the detected current with a reference current set in accordance with factors such as properties of the object to be worked, and increasing the current density of the pulse on the basis of the result of the comparison; supplying pulses having the increased current density between the electrode and the object to be worked a predetermined number of times; and removing electrolytic products generated between the electrode and the object to be worked.

Abstract: A finishing method employing electro-chemical process includes the steps of: supplying identical pulses between an electrode and a workpiece disposed opposite to each other in a stationary electrolyte with a predetermined gap therebetween; reducing the gap after the pulses have been supplied; thereafter enlarging the gap; and injecting electrolyte into the gap during the step of enlarging the gap.