Abstract: In a microscopic observing apparatus, the optical axis of a probe microscope is placed between the two optical axes of a stereoscopic microscope. In another microscopic observing apparatus, the microscopic observing apparatus includes a guide mechanism that guides the probe microscope and the stereoscopic microscope, a connecting member that maintains a constant spacing between optical axes of the probe microscope and the stereoscopic microscope, a right stopper that restricts further movement of the stereoscopic microscope when the position of the optical axis of the stereoscopic microscope matches a center position on the guide rail; and a left stopper that restricts further movement of the probe microscope when the position of the optical axis of the probe microscope matches the center position.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope including: a light source; a lens for altering the cross-sectional shape aspect ratio of a beam of light emitted from the light source; at least one lens for converging beams of light of different cross-sectional shape aspect ratio to create a linear light; a first light modulation member able to impart shade to the converged linear light; a lens that can form the light to which the shade has been imparted as a parallel light; a scanning member that can alter the angle of illumination; a lens for focusing the light to which the shade has been imparted; an objective lens for projecting the light to which the shading has been imparted to a sample body; and a lens for imaging the reflected light from the sample body or the light generated by the sample body on to a sensor.

Abstract: An illumination system for microscopy includes a light source, a first spectral element dispersing light from the light source, a reflecting member selectively reflecting light dispersed by the first spectral element, a second spectral element combining light reflected by the reflecting member, a dichroic mirror, an objective lens, and an image sensor. The first spectral element is placed at the front focal point of a first lens, the reflecting member is placed at a position where the back focal point of the first lens coincides with the front focal point of a second lens, and the second spectral element is placed at the back focal point of the second lens.

Abstract: In a microscope system, illumination light rays are emitted from a light source. The illumination light rays are collimated and reflected from a mirror to the optical element array. The optical element array is located at a conjugate position of a specimen, and includes a plurality of micro mirrors arranged in a matrix form. The micro mirrors are individually controlled to selectively reflect the illumination light rays for illuminating the specimen. Thus, a predetermined pattern of the light rays is reflected from the optical element array to an objective lens. The illumination light rays are projected on the specimen from the objective lens and the specimen is illuminated by the predetermined illumination pattern.

Abstract: A high-performance microscope allows total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and interference reflection microscopy (or reflection contrast microscopy) to be selectively performed by using the same objective. The microscope has an objective optical system and an image-forming optical system for imaging light from a sample passing through the objective optical system onto an image pickup device. An optical member is provided in a viewing optical path extending from the objective optical system to the image-forming optical system. The optical member reflects illuminating light from an illuminating optical system so that the illuminating light enters the objective optical system, and allows the light from the sample passing through the objective optical system to pass through the image-forming optical system.

Abstract: A microscope for use in total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) is provided. The microscope includes a first white-light source for directing light along a first optical path; an annular slit member disposed in the first optical path, the annular slit member having an annular slit for blocking all but an annulus of light corresponding to the annular slit; and an objective lens for directing the annulus of light to a specimen such that TIRFM of the specimen is achieved. Also provided are various ways for converting the microscope to and from a TIRFM microscope and a conventional microscope.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes an objective lens, an imaging lens, a pupil relay lens, and an image relay lens. The primary image of a specimen is formed between the imaging lens and the pupil relay lens, and the image of the pupil of the objective lens is projected between the pupil relay lens and the image relay lens so that a pupil modulator is disposed at the position of the projected pupil image. This arrangement makes it possible to produce pupil modulation, observe various specimens, and set the optimum position of an eyepoint.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes an objective lens, an imaging lens, a pupil relay lens, and an image relay lens. The primary image of a specimen is formed between the imaging lens and the pupil relay lens, and the image of the pupil of the objective lens is projected between the pupil relay lens and the image relay lens so that a pupil modulator is disposed at the position of the projected pupil image. This arrangement makes it possible to produce pupil modulation, observe various specimens, and set the optimum position of an eyepoint.

Abstract: A microscope has an optical system in which the number of photographing optical paths can be increased. The optical system includes a light source, an illuminating optical system for radiating the illuminating light to a sample, an objective lens which is opposed to the sample, an imaging lens, which is arranged in an optical path of light passed through the objective lens, a first beam splitting block, arranged in an optical path between the objective lens and the primary image, for splitting the light passed through the imaging lens into at least three different directions, a second beam splitting block for splitting one of the light split by the first beam splitting block into a plurality of directions, an observation optical path which receives the light split by the second beam splitting block, and a plurality of photographing optical paths provided for the split light, wherein images of the same magnification are formed.

Abstract: A multilayer film structure includes a light absorption layer and a transparent layer so that a phase in the light absorption layer and a phase in the transparent layer have substantially constant values, irrespective of wavelengths of light transmitted through both the layers.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope is equipped with an objective lens, a variable magnification optical system having an optical axis common with that of the objective lens, a splitting optical system splitting emergent light from the variable magnification optical system into a plurality of optical paths, and an eyepiece disposed in at least one of the optical paths, having a diameter larger than the interpupil distance of an observer. Thus, the stereomicroscope has advantages that, with a simple structure and easy adjustment, many people can make observations, the mountings of photographic and TV devices are possible, the directions in which plural observers see through the microscope can be changed, and eyestrain is difficult to occur which may be caused by the difference in magnification between the images of a bilateral observation optical system.

Abstract: A high performance objective lens system for microscopes comprising a plurality but a very small number of lens elements at least one of which is designed as an axial GRIN lens element.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope is equipped with an objective lens, a variable magnification optical system having an optical axis common with that of the objective lens, a splitting optical system splitting emergent light from the variable magnification optical system into a plurality of optical paths, and an eyepiece disposed in at least one of the optical paths, having a diameter larger than the interpupil distance of an observer. Thus, the stereomicroscope has advantages that, with a simple structure and easy adjustment, many people can make observations, the mountings of photographic and TV devices are possible, the directions in which plural observers see through the microscope can be changed, and eyestrain is difficult to occur which may be caused by the difference in magnification between the images of a bilateral observation optical system.

Abstract: An imaging system having a focus detecting device performs focus detection by detecting an output signal indicative of intensity distribution of light derived from a light-receiving element, in which at least one holographic optical element is arranged on the object side of a primary imaging plane to form an image on the light-receiving element. Thus, the imaging system has significant advantages in practical use that the arrangement is simple and the camera body is made compact.

Abstract: An objective lens system for microscopes comprising a plurality of lens units including a first lens unit arranged at the foremost location and having a positive refractive power, and using a GRIN lens or GRIN lenses designed taking into consideration the characteristic of the glass materials currently available. The objective lens system for microscopes consists of a small number of lens elements and has favorably corrected aberrations.