Abstract: A system for performing sample probing. The system including an topography microscope configured to receive three-dimensional coordinates for a sample based on at least three fiducial marks; receive the sample mounted in a holder; and navigate to at least a location on the sample based on the at least three fiducial marks and the three-dimensional coordinates.

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: Laser scanning microscope and method for the operation thereof having at least two detection channels which has at least one beamsplitter with a splitting of the sample light deviating from the 50:50 split and/or, with 50:50 split in the detection channels, has detectors with differently adjusted gain, or in at least one detection channel with equal light splitting has an additional light attenuator.

Abstract: An ATR objective (1) for an IR microscope has a Cassegrain objective (2), an ATR crystal (7), a holding bar (8) to one end of which on the side of the sample, the ATR crystal (7) is mounted, a holding element (10), thin struts (9) which rigidly connect the holding bar (8) to the holding element (10) and intersect an optical path of the ATR objective (1) entering or exiting the Cassegrain objective (2) in such a fashion that they shade less than 10% of the beam cross-section of the optical path, and a motor drive (12) for axial movement of the holding element (10) relative to the sample position (3). The automated ATR objective thereby enables simple adjustment of operating modes and different contact pressures of the ATR crystal with respect to a sample (19).

Abstract: A microscope system and observation control method. An electric zoom consecutively changes a magnification for a sample. A revolver includes a plurality of objective lenses of different magnifications and switches the objective lens placed in an observation optical path to intermittently change the magnification for the sample. A control section calculates a total magnification at which the sample is observed based on a magnification provided by the electric zoom and the magnification of the objective lens currently placed in the observation optical path. The control section operates when the revolver switches the objective lens placed in the observation optical path, to determine a target magnification that is the magnification of the electric zoom required to keep the total magnification obtained after the switching of the objective lens equal to the total magnification obtained before the switching of the objective lens.

Abstract: A microscope adapter unit disposed on an optical path of illumination light between a light source unit including a light source and a sample surface includes a first lens group having at least one lens and a second lens group having at least one lens. The first lens group converts the illumination light into roughly parallel luminous fluxes, and makes the illumination light enter the second lens group.

Abstract: An inverted microscope system includes an objective lens holding unit that holds an objective lens configured to collect at least observation light from a specimen, a tube lens configured to form an image using the observation light collected by the objective lens, a total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy optical system provided between the objective lens and the tube lens and configured to observe the observation light from the specimen using a total reflection illumination, and a disk scanning confocal optical system including a rotary disk on which a confocal opening is formed, the confocal opening being placed at a position substantially conjugate to a focus position of the objective lens. A relative distance between the focus position of the objective lens and the substantially conjugate position is changeable along an optical path of the observation light.

Abstract: An auxiliary arm attaching structure of a stand apparatus 1 includes a front member 3 that is attached to a support arm 2 of the stand apparatus and has a projection 6. The projection projects in a direction different from a longitudinal direction of the support arm and supports an auxiliary arm 8. Supported with the projection, the auxiliary arm is turnable so that an electronic image display unit 9 attached to a front end of the auxiliary arm is turnable to any position around a surgical microscope 4 supported with the front member.

Abstract: A compact lens system for imaging a sample comprising a substrate having a well formed therein. Index matching material is disposed in the well and a lens member is further disposed in the well in optical contact with the index matching material disposed in the well. A spacer member extends from at least one of the substrate and the lower transparent member to define a spacing from a focal point of the lens member, wherein the lens member and index matching material cooperate to image a sample disposed below the lower transparent member.

Abstract: Optical systems and apparatuses configured for enabling substantially simultaneous observation of a plurality of points in an array from a common reference point. Without the optical systems and apparatuses disclosed herein, less than all of the plurality of points can be observed substantially simultaneously from the common reference point.

Abstract: A transillumination device (150) for a microscope (100) comprises a flat panel light source (151), a diaphragm arrangement (152) arranged behind the flat panel light source (151) in the radiating direction (AR) that comprises two diaphragm elements movable relative to one another, at least one of the two diaphragm elements having a cutout, the two diaphragm elements defining, together with the at least one cutout, a diaphragm opening, wherein the dimensions of the diaphragm opening in two mutually perpendicular directions are determined by the position of the diaphragm elements relative to one another.

Abstract: A microscope stand (11) is disclosed, including at least one pivot support (12), a mount (22) attached to a first end (15) of the pivot support (12), and a C-slide displacement assembly (112). The pivot support (12) is held to a stand interface (14) by a parallel guide mechanism (116), which allows the pivot support (12) to perform a circular motion in a vertical plane. The parallel guide mechanism (116) is formed by a cross-lever linkage which is rotatable about a cross-lever axis (115) extending centrally between and parallel to the support axis (113) of the pivot support (12) and the pivot axis (114) of the C-slide displacement assembly (112) and which is connected to both the stand interface (14) and the pivot support (12) in such a way that it transmits its own pivotal state simultaneously and equally to the stand interface (14) and to the pivot support (12).

Abstract: A 4-Pi microscope for imaging a sample, comprising a first objective for focusing a first light beam on the sample at a spatial point one or more Digital Optical Phase Conjugation (DOPC) devices, wherein the DOPC devices include a sensor for detecting the first light beam that has been transmitted through the sample and inputted on the sensor; and a spatial light modulator (SLM) for outputting, in response to the first light beam detected by the sensor, a second light beam that is an optical phase conjugate of the first light beam; and a second objective positioned to transmit the first light beam to the sensor and focus the second light beam on the sample at the spatial point, so that the first light beam and the second light beam are counter-propagating and both focused to the spatial point.

Abstract: A correlation confocal microscope uses correlated photon pairs to improve resolution. It employs a source of a light beam converging to a point location on a sample, and an objective that gathers light from the point location and generates an image beam. A modulator applies a spatial pattern of modulation to the source light beam to define spatially correlated photons whose spatial correlations are preserved in modulated light gathered from the sample. A filter applies a modulation-selective filter function to the image light beam to generate a filtered light beam of like-modulated photons. A coincidence detector detects temporally coincident photon pairs in the filtered light beam, generating a pulse output that indicates the magnitude of a light-detectable property (such as transmissivity or reflectivity) of the sample at the point location. The modulator may apply phase modulation and the filter may be a phase-sensitive component such as an interferometer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical arrangement (20) and to a method of examining or processing an object (46). Here, a first laser pulse with a first central wavelength and a second laser pulse with a second central wavelength different from the first central wavelength are generated. Both pulses are superimposed in or on the object (46) such that multi-photon absorption takes place there with the involvement of at least one photon of the first laser pulse and at least one photon of the second laser pulse.

Abstract: A light source and/or a deflector and/or the emitting end of an illuminating optical fiber is arranged in the rear focal plane of a lens for total internal reflection microscopy.

Abstract: A microscope system includes: an objective; a correction apparatus which corrects a spherical aberration; a controller which obtains a plurality of combinations of a relative position of the objective to a sample and an optimum value, which is a set value of the correction apparatus in a state in which a spherical aberration caused in accordance with the relative position has been corrected, calculates a function expressing the relationship between the relative position and the optimum value on the basis of the obtained plurality of combinations by interpolation, and calculates the optimum value according to an observation target surface of the sample, on the basis of the function and the relative position which is determined from the observation target surface; and a correction apparatus driving apparatus which drives the correction apparatus in accordance with the optimum value, which is calculated by the controller.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for a low numerical aperture exclusion imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include an electromagnetic illumination source for illuminating a portion of a specimen; and for collecting an image created by the electromagnetic radiation an objective lens optically coupled to the electromagnetic illuminated portion of the specimen. The apparatus also includes an optical blocking plate disposed between the objective lens and a focusing lens. The optical blocking plate is positioned to substantially block undesired electromagnetic radiation from image sources distally aligned in the same optical axis as the specimen. This invention is enhances narrow depth of field characteristics in imaging. It also enhances discreet imaging in a narrow focus field by eliminating some or most of the light which contributes to wide depth of field focus. This is useful for optical sectioning ranging from microscopy to photography.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illuminating device for a microscope with an illumination magazine comprising a plurality of light emitting units. A mechanical illuminator changer can change the light emitting unit currently active in the operative position. A filter magazine having a plurality of filter units is present, wherein a mechanical filter changer for changing the filter unit currently in the active operative position is associated with the filter magazine. At least one mechanical coupling component is provided for cooperation with the filter changer and the illuminator and for uniquely assigning each filter unit to a specific light emitting unit.

Abstract: A microscope adapter unit disposed on an optical path of illumination light between a light source unit including a light source and a sample surface includes a first lens group having at least one lens and a second lens group having at least one lens. The first lens group converts the illumination light into roughly parallel luminous fluxes, and makes the illumination light enter the second lens group.

Abstract: A microscope system for imaging of an object that can be placed in an object plane of a microscope system includes an imaging system for providing at least one pair of optical imaging paths that include a stereoscopic angle in the object plane. The imaging system includes a first subsystem comprising a first plurality of optical lenses that are commonly traversed by both optical imaging paths of the at least one pair of optical imaging paths. The imaging system also includes a second subsystem comprising a second plurality of optical lenses that are traversed by only one optical imaging path. At least two optical lenses of the first plurality of optical lenses and at least two optical lenses of the second plurality of optical lenses are displaceable relative to one another along a common optical imaging path to respectively vary a magnification of the representation of the object.

Abstract: A method for the optical detection of an illuminated specimen, wherein the illuminating light impinges in a spatially structured manner in at least one plane on the specimen and several images of the specimen are acquired by a detector in different positions of the structure on the specimen. An optical sectional image and/or an image with enhanced resolution is then calculated. The method includes generating a diffraction pattern in the direction of the specimen in or near the pupil of the objective lens or in a plane conjugate to the pupil. A phase plate with regions of varying phase delays is dedicated to the diffraction pattern in or near the pupil of the objective lens or in a plane conjugate to said pupil, and different phase angles of the illuminating light are set.

Abstract: A device for holding filters for a microscope includes a filter wheel (20) rotatable about an axis of rotation (16) and a drive unit (14) for rotating the filter wheel (20). The filter wheel (20) comprises a basic body (44) rotatable about the axis of rotation (16) and at least one segment (46-54) selectively connectable to the basic body. The segment (46-54) comprises at least two housing areas (58, 59) each holding at least one filter (11). Another housing area may provide a transmission range (36, 59) for unfiltered transmission of light. A second rotatable filter wheel may be arranged at a location displaced along the axis of rotation relative to the filter wheel, and may have its own respective transmission range for unfiltered transmission of light, whereby a filter on either filter wheel may be aligned with the transmission range on the other filter wheel.

Abstract: The surgical microscope system includes a first binocular microscope and a first display device. The first binocular microscope includes an objective lens, a first right ocular lens which provides a first image based on a light flux transmitted through the objective lens, and a first left ocular lens which provides a second image based on a light flux transmitted through the objective lens. The first display device can be disposed opposite to or in alignment with the first binocular microscope, and includes a first right-eye image display surface for displaying the first image and a first left-eye image display surface for displaying the second image. The first display device can be reversed about a horizontal axis extending in a direction along which the first right-eye image display surface and the first left-eye image display surface are located in alignment.

Abstract: Fluorescence is generated from an irradiated point on an inspection surface of a sample and the fluorescence is collected by an objective lens. Here, because of the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens, the fluorescence going out from the objective lens travels along a path shifted from the irradiation light and changed substantially into a non-scan light by a galvano-scanner. The fluorescence passes through a dichroic mirror into a plane-parallel plate after light of unnecessary wavelength is removed by a filter. The plane-parallel plate is driven in synchronization with the galvano-scanner by a computer and corrects the shift and inclination of the optical axis generated by the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens. Then, the fluorescence forms an image of the irradiation point of the inspection surface of the sample on a pin hole of a pin hole plate by using a collective lens.

Abstract: Method for actuation control of a microscope, in particular of a Laser Scanning Microscope, in which, at least one first illumination light, preferably moving at least in one direction, as well as at least one second illumination light moving at least in one direction, illuminate a sample through a beam combiner, a detection of the light coming from the sample takes place, whereby, at least one part of the illumination light is generated through the splitting of the light from a common illuminating unit, characterized in that, by means of a common control unit, a controlled splitting into the first and the second illumination light takes place, in which the intensity of the first illuminating light, specified by the user or specified automatically, is assigned a higher priority (is prioritized) compared to the specified value for the second illumination light, and an adjustment for the second illumination light takes place until a maximum value is obtained, which is determined by the value specified for the f

Abstract: A filter wheel assembly includes a filter wheel and an optical assembly. The filter wheel includes a plurality of viewing openings. The optical assembly includes an optical element secured within an aperture of a housing. The optical assembly is securable to the filter wheel at a viewing opening by a magnetic force. An optical apparatus includes an optical assembly receiver and first and second optical assemblies. The first optical assembly is securable to the optical assembly receiver and the second optical assembly is securable to the first optical assembly by a magnetic force to align the optical assembly receiver and the optical assemblies. Methods of aligning apertures of optical assemblies with viewing openings of a filter wheel or an optical assembly receiver and securing the optical assemblies to the filter wheel or the optical assembly receiver using a magnetic force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slit-scan multi-wavelength confocal lens module, utilizing at least two lenses having chromatic aberration for splitting a broadband light into continuously linear spectral lights having different focal length respectively. The present invention utilizes the confocal lens module employing slit-scan confocal principle and chromatic dispersion techniques and the confocal microscopy with optical sectioning ability and high resolution in spectral dispersion to establish a confocal microscopy method and system with long DOF and high resolution, capable of modulating a broadband light to produce the axial chromatic dispersion and focus on different depths toward an object's surface for obtaining the reflected light spectrum from the surface.

Abstract: In an automated scanning cytometry system, chromatic aberration is used for multiplanar image acquisition.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present invention relates to an imaging system 100 for enhancing microscopic images of unstained cells. The imaging system 100 comprises a light source 102 for producing light 120a, a sample holder 109 for containing cells to be imaged, a condenser 104 for focussing the light 120b at a focal plane within the sample holder 109 on the cells to be imaged, a translation mechanism for moving the focal plane of the light 120b relative to the sample holder 109 and a detector system 112 configured to acquire a plurality of images at respective focal planes within the sample holder 109 and process the plurality of images to provide an enhanced processed imaged.

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: An optical device with a first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly has: an input lens for collimating illuminating light, the input lens having an optical axis, an output lens for focusing collimated light received from a sample, the output lens having an optical axis which is offset and substantially parallel with the optical axis of the input lens, and a first support piece which houses and supports the input lens and the output lens. The second sub-assembly has: an input filter for filtering the collimated illuminating light, an output filter for filtering the collimated light received from the sample, and a second support piece which houses and supports the input filter and the output filter. The first and second support pieces are joined together by a liquid-tight joint.

Abstract: Systems and methods for attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy. The systems and methods may generally involve differentiating an acquired image in a spectral domain, restricting a spectral range of the acquired image, subtracting an average absorbance from the restricted image data, and applying a principal component analysis to extract significant spectral features from the restricted image data.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a culture unit for holding and cultivating a specimen while maintaining constant temperature and humidity; a stage for holding the culture unit; a first light-converging optical system for converging illumination light emitted from a light source on the specimen; a second light-converging optical system for converging transmitted light that has passed through the specimen; a transmitted-light pinhole provided at a position optically conjugate to the light-converging position of illumination light on the specimen to cut off part of transmitted light converged by the second light-converging optical system; a transmitted-light detector that detects transmitted light that has passed through the transmitted-light pinhole; a moving system for moving the first and second light-converging optical systems, the transmitted-light pinhole, and the transmitted-light detector and the stage relative to each other; a housing that encloses these components and cuts off external light; and a contro

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: The present invention relates to an optical imaging device, in particular for microscopy, with a first optical element group and a second optical element group, wherein the first optical element group and the second optical element group, on an image plane, form an image of an object point of an object plane via at least one imaging ray having an imaging ray path. The first optical element group comprises a first optical element with a reflective first optical surface in the imaging ray path and a second optical element with a reflective second optical surface in the imaging ray path, wherein the first optical surface is concave. The second optical element group comprises a third optical element with a concave reflective third optical surface in the imaging ray path and a fourth optical element with a convex reflective fourth optical surface in the imaging ray path without light passage aperture.

Abstract: It is possible to generate image data of a biological tissue in a short time. A focus information generating device (2) receives a first reflected light beam (Lr1) split from a reflected light beam (Lr) and a second reflected light beam (Lr2) passing through a pin-hole plate (36). A signal processing unit (13) calculates a uniform reflectance (RE) representing a light amount ratio of the second reflected light beam (Lr2) to the first reflected light beam (Lr1) along with a sum signal (SS) and a difference signal (SD). An integrated control unit (11) detects a position (Z1) corresponding to a top surface (104A) of a cover glass (104) on the basis of the sum signal (SS) and the difference signal (SD) and detects a position (Z3) representing a biological tissue (102) on the basis of the sum signal (SS) and the uniform reflectance (RE).

Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope for examining microscopic and macroscopic objects is described. The microscope comprises: a scanning optical system having optical elements imaging the light generated by a laser onto an object to be examined; an objective provided in a working distance of at least 0.4 inches from an object holder; and a zoom optical system that is connected to the scanning optical system such that the light generated by the laser passes first through the scanning optical system, then through the zoom optical system, and is then imaged through the objective onto the object. This microscope achieves that also macroscopic objects can be viewed at a high resolution.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope includes a culture vessel that accommodates a specimen and is capable of maintaining an interior temperature and humidity thereof, and an optical system space adjacent and optically connected to the culture vessel. The optical system space includes a scanner that two-dimensionally scans ultrashort pulsed laser light across the specimen; an objective lens that focuses the scanned ultrashort pulsed laser light on the specimen and collects light coming from the specimen; a dichroic mirror, disposed between the scanner and the objective lens, that splits off the light coming from the specimen from the laser light; a photodetector that detects the split-off light coming from the specimen; and an outer cover, provided so as to surround the optical system space, that blocks light coming from outside the optical system space.

Abstract: In a microscope controller by which is performed an operation for controlling an operation of each of a plurality of electric units included in a microscope system, the control unit establishes a plurality of functional areas in the display region of the touch panel as regions for making operable the plurality of electric units. When an input to any of the functional areas is detected, the control unit generates a control instruction signal for controlling an electric unit corresponding to this functional area. The communication control unit transmits the control instruction signal to an external device controlling an operation of a corresponding electric unit. When an input to a predetermined functional area is detected, the control unit then reestablishes a plurality of functional areas within the display region of the touch panel so as to enlarge this functional area or a plurality of specific functional areas including this functional area.

Abstract: A microscope system improves the operability of a user in performing a microscope observation. The microscope system attains the improvement by including: a microscope apparatus including a plurality of drive units; a display unit for displaying an operation screen for operation of the microscope apparatus; a pointing device for inputting by a pointer an operation instruction to the microscope apparatus on the operation screen; and a control unit for switching the drive units depending on the position of the pointer on the operation screen, and controlling the operation of the switched drive units depending on the operation of the pointing device.

Abstract: Microscope, particularly laser scanning microscope, for optical detection of light radiation excited in a specimen, having a detection beam path for detecting spectral components of the light radiation in a plurality of detection channels, wherein the light radiation arrives at a variable longpass filter or shortpass filter from which reflected and/or transmitted components are reflected back with a parallel offset, and the latter arrive at a detector after at least one back-reflection of this kind.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively connecting an accessory item to a surgical microscope includes a center pivot. An adapter arm includes an adapter support having a substantially planar support body which extends laterally in an outboard direction from the center pivot and has laterally spaced inboard and outboard support regions separated by a laterally oriented centerline. The adapter arm is configured to accept at least a portion of the accessory item in a supporting relationship. An undermount adapter includes a substantially planar undermount body having laterally spaced inboard and outboard body regions separated by a laterally oriented centerline. A plurality of microscope attachment throughholes each throughhole extend through the undermount body. Each throughhole is configured to accept a fastener for securement of the undermount adapter to the surgical microscope. An arm receiver is configured to accept the adapter tongue of the adapter arm in a supporting relationship.

Abstract: Methods and a module for use with a microscope for enhancing image contrast in an image of a phase object. A transmission image of a specimen is formed in an image plane, of which a Fourier transform is generated in a Fourier plane. An amplitude filter is applied to the Fourier transform field, which is then transformed back to an image at a focal plane of a detector array. An image signal from the detector array is processed to generate a contrast-enhanced image of the specimen.

Abstract: Where a multimode fiber is used for light delivery in a microscope system and a transverse distribution of light exiting a distal end of the fiber is substantially uniform, the distal end is imaged onto a plane of a sample to be probed by the microscope system, or at a conjugate plane. Alternatively, the distal end is imaged onto a plane sufficiently close to the sample plane or the conjugate plane such that a radiant intensity of light at the sample plane or the conjugate plane is substantially uniform. In the case of a multi-focal confocal microscope system, the distal end of the multimode fiber is imaged onto a plane of a segmented focusing array. Alternatively the distal end is imaged onto a plane sufficiently close to the segmented focusing array plane such that a radiant intensity of the light at the segmented focusing array plane is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A device for shifting the imaging axis of a microscope for inspecting endfaces of a fiber-optic connector having multiple rows of endfaces has a supporting body for receiving a microscope; a first swinging lever mounted on top of the supporting body and rotatable about a first swinging axis perpendicular to the imaging axis of the microscope; a first connecting piece extending from the first swinging lever towards the imaging axis; a second swinging lever pivoted on the first connecting piece and rotatable about a second swinging axis perpendicular to the first swinging axis; and a fitting tip connected to the second swinging lever for interfacing with the fiber-optic connector. Using two sets of biasing means and adjustment drivers, the imaging axis passing through the supporting body and the fitting tip can be shifted in two mutually perpendicular directions to selectively align with any endface of the fiber-optic connector.

Abstract: Three or more devices can be connected to a microscope and can be used simultaneously. Provided is a microscope connecting unit including a microscope connection port that is connected to a microscope used to observe a sample; three or more unit connection ports to which a stimulating unit that irradiates the sample with light or a confocal observation unit or an image capturing unit that detects light generated at the sample is connectable; and two or more light-path combining units that are disposed between the microscope connecting port and the unit connection ports and that combine light paths optically connecting the microscope with the confocal observation unit, the stimulating unit, and the image capturing unit.

Abstract: A surgical microscope for observing an infrared fluorescence includes a camera system 25 having three chips, wherein infrared light emanating from an object is supplied to only one of the three camera chips via a dichroic beam splitter.

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.