Abstract: A confocal optical scanner which realizes optical scanning without nonuniformity of brightness at the inside and outside periperies of the pinhole disk by arraying the pinholes along spiral tracks at the same pitch; which allows adjustment of decentering to be readily performed by disposing pinholes so that stripes do not occur even when decentering is large; which allows more incident light to be collected at the pinholes through a plurality of collector means by disposing the pinholes at focal points of the collector means; which improves luminous utilization efficacy by reducing the illumination area of light by adopting the collector means to focus outside of the aperture pupil; which prevents decrease of confocal resolution due to pinhole diameter by causing the light reflected from the sample to not enter a collector disk; and which reduces stray light from the pinhole disk by covering non-collector portions of the collector disk with a shading film.

Abstract: Phase-contrasting elements are arranged in the viewing beam paths of a stereomicroscope to make transparent media visible with rich contrast such as in the area of ophthalmologic surgery. The phase-contrasting elements make the transparent media visible as phase objects in the amplitude contrast. The phase-contrasting elements are selected in dependence upon the light source diaphragm which is used.

Abstract: An illumination system increasing resolution, sharpness, depth of field, and perception of depth for a transmitted light microscope including a condenser lens having an optical axis, objective lens having an optical axis, wherein a plurality of separate light beams pass through the condenser lens along paths that are not coincident with the condenser lens optical axis and which follow exit paths from the condenser lens which pass through the objective lens and which are at an oblique angle to the optical axis of the objective lens.

Abstract: The confocal imaging system and method involve the imaging of a specimen under observation by projecting a light pattern of illumination spots simultaneously on the specimen. This is accomplished by a pattern array unit which transforms light from a light source into a desired pattern of illumination spots. Light detected from the specimen is confined to a pattern conforming to the pattern of the illumination spots by a detector masking unit which rejects light beyond the pattern. Image signals are created from the received light and stored, and the stored image signals are combined to form a complete image frame.

Abstract: An illumination system increasing resolution, sharpness, depth of field, and real time 3D perception of depth for a transmitted light microscope including an objective lens having an optical axis, wherein a plurality of separate light beams passing through a specimen to the objective lens along paths that are oblique to the optical axis of the objective lens. Fiber optic light guides can be used to initiate a light beams that follow the above described paths.

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: The subject invention, therefore, relates to a multi-layer coating for use on a thick-walled metal halide lamp which emits visible light radiation and absorbs and reflects UV radiation, and which further manages the thermal non-uniformity problems across the thickness of the arc tube to substantially eliminate devitrification problems.

Abstract: An illumination system and method for releasing resolution, sharpness, depth of field, and perception of depth for a light microscope including an objective lens having an optical axis, wherein one or more illuminating light beams are directed onto the specimen via paths that include the objective lens and are not coincident with the objective lens optical axis, and reflection beams include the objective lens.

Abstract: The contrast chamber for spotlighting bacterial colonies with respecto to their culture medium performs the automatic counting, through the use of an automatic processor connected to a reading head (7), of bacterial colonies which develop in the capsules wherein the culture takes place; additionally, it also provides for the automatic introduction of the capsules (5) inside the contrast chamber The contrast chamber is provided with lateral lighting means, using the light reflected by a reflection tube (2) and emitted by a lighting source (1) postioned above the capsule (5) which has been closed by a lid provided with an opaque disc (3). The reading head (7) is positioned under the capsule (5) and is associated to a second light source (8) which moves together with the reading head and which is inclined with respect to the surface of the capsule (5), so that the light beams do not impinge on the reading head (7).

Abstract: A light microscope with lenses projecting the rear aperture of an objective lens at a location remote from the objective lens enhancing high power stereoscopic viewing and photographing with a binocular (two eyepiece) viewing system and when combined with an iris in close proximity to the projected image of the rear aperture of the objective lens, controls flare.

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 improved method and apparatus for easily and accurately aligning confocal tandem scanning reflected light microscopes having scanning disc hole diameters as small as 20 microns are described. The method involves the observation and analysis of Moire and other patterns of light occurring within the microscope, and using the apparatus to make very sensitive adjustments that result in a fully aligned, rugged, and stable confocal tandem scanning reflected light microscope offering improved resolution, contrast, and optical slicing capability.

Abstract: A metallographic microscope for characterizing conductor drawing dies having a light collimating system, linear scales for horizontal and vertical axis of the platina, a positioning device on the platina, an electronic closed loop circuit for controlling the illumination through the collimating system, and a power supply and internal cabling within the body of the microscope for a video camera mounted to the lens system.

Abstract: A reflected fluorescence microscope is used to observe a fluorescent image of a stained specimen by reflected illumination, and includes a light source, an excitation filter for converting light from the light source into a plurality of narrow-band excitation lights, a dichroic mirror for reflecting the narrow-band excitation lights emerging from the excitation filter toward the specimen and transmitting therethrough the light emerging from the specimen, an absorption filter for absorbing an extra wavelength component from light emerging from the dichroic mirror and transmitting therethrough a wavelength component of the fluorescent image, an optical system for forming the fluorescent image of the specimen from the wavelength component transmitted through the absorption filter, and a transmission wavelength shifting filter for adjusting the ratio of the quantities of light in units of fluorochromes.

Abstract: A defined determination of the field of view observed through a surgical microscope is made. To achieve this determination, the relative current position of the plane of the field of view to the position of an object detail of interest is detected in a sighting method with the aid of a position detection system operating according to the laser triangulation principle. As soon as the plane of the field of view and the object detail are coincident, then with the aid of detected optical system data, the position of the object detail with reference to the surgical microscope is determined and, with the detected coordinates of the surgical microscope, the position of the field of view is determined in space. The position detecting system required for this purpose operates on an optical basis and can be integrated into the optics of the surgical microscope.

Abstract: A lighting device capable of lighting a surface of an observed section of a specimen sample so as to permit an object of observation of the surface to be satisfied even when the surface has relatively fine unevenness. Any one of light field illumination mainly using vertically projected light, dark field illumination mainly using laterally projected light and a combination thereof is selectively carried out with respect to the surface of the specimen sample as desired, to thereby selectively provide a lighted two-dimensional image of the surface and its lighted three-dimensional image as desired.

Abstract: An improved aperture for a scanning microscope as is used to mask either or both of the incident light and reflected light includes a plurality of continuous curvilinear slits spaced evenly about a common origin, each of which approximates an Archimedes' spiral emanating from the origin centered on the aperture. There are two embodiments of the invention disclosed, both of which have a true Archimedes' spiral to define the inner edge of the continuous slit. In a first embodiment, the outer edge is defined as having a constant proportional circumferential aperture distance from the inner spiral. In the second embodiment, the outer edge is defined as another Archimedes' spiral having a constant offset of minimum distance from the inner spiral. However, the outer edges of the two embodiments essentially merge in a physical sense after only several of the inner revolutions of the continuous slit so that the continuous slit of either embodiment provides an image having uniform masking and uniform resolution.

Abstract: An adapter which can be easily attached to and detached from the body and objective lens of a conventional microscope to provide fluorescence microscopy capability. The adapter includes (a) a main body which is for mounting between the objective lens and body of a microscope in the axis of the viewed light path, (b) a compact, high intensity light source disposed to a side of the viewed light path, which includes a condensing lens and an excitation filter, and (c) a dichroic mirror disposed at the intersection of the radial light path from the light source and the axial viewed light path, the mirror reflecting excitation wavelengths, but passing emission wavelengths, and (d) an emission filter disposed between the mirror and the microscope body, when the adapter is mounted in a microscope.

Abstract: An illumination system and method for increasing resolution, sharpness, depth of field, and perception of depth for a transmitted light microscope including a condenser lens having an optical axis, objective lens having an optical axis, and an eye piece wherein a light beam path shift enables two or more separate light beams to be directed onto the condenser along paths that are not coincident with the condenser lens optical axis and that produce beam exit paths from the condenser lens which are at maximum oblique angles relative to the objective lens axis which are within the objective lens aperture.

Abstract: There is provided a multifunction coaxial objective system (16) for a laser rangefinder (10). The transmitter, receiver, and viewing optical systems have a common, coaxial optical axis (48). The multifunction coaxial objective system (16) includes lenses (28), (30) and mirror (32) each having a central obscuration therein. The multifunction coaxial objective system (16) further includes a lens (34) having a dichroic coating on one surface (50). The dichroic coated lens (34) transmits visible and near infrared light and reflects light of the wavelength transmitted by a laser emitter (18). The viewing optical system includes a pair of focusing wedges (42), (44) for adjusting the focus of the viewing optical system. Each focusing wedge (42), (44) is a wedge-shaped optical flat. The pair of focusing wedges (42), (44) are disposed against one another along a plane inclined with respect to the coaxial optical axis (48) of the multifunction coaxial objective system (16).

Abstract: A confocal epi-illumination microscope includes a light laser, for supplying a light beam to a light condenser such as condenser focuses the light onto the object to be examined so as to illuminate a observational field on or within the object. Reflected, fluorescent or scattered light illuminated point field is collected by the condenser and transmitted to a returning may be a camera. The outgoing light passing from the light source to the returning light are transmitted through optical fibres in the light the returning light to a receiver. The outgoing illuminating light is subject to scan the object and the returning light is subject to similar or tandem movements to scan the photographic film. In one embodiment, the scanning movements and returning light are provided by two sets of scanning mirrors. arrangements, tandem scanning may be achieved by a pin hole or slit in a light intermediate focal point.

Abstract: An optical sight typically used in cooperation with a weapon is provided to include a light tube, that in turn further is provided with a blade member mounted to the light tube that includes a concave surface of mirror image reflective qualities directing light into the light tube for enhanced optical illumination through the sight arrangement.

Abstract: An inverted microscope is adapted so that a specimen thereon e.g. cells can be irradiated by a laser beam. The laser beam is guided from a laser source by a series of adjustably movable reflectors which introduce it into the microscope optical pathway at a parallel-beam region thereof, and through the objective lens of the microscope. A point to be irradiated can be selected by moving the reflectors which may be galvanometrically-movable. The laser beam can be focused together with the microscope image. The movable reflectors are kept within 200 mm behind the objective lens principal plane (PP) to ensure that the laser can be applied all over the microscope viewing field.

Abstract: An adjustable masking mechanism for use in connection with the exposure of a sample to a beam of analytical radiation and a beam of viewing radiation that facilitates aligning the movable elements of the mask with the edges of the sample. Whereas the prior art mechanisms utilize materials that are opaque to both the analytical radiation and the viewing radiation, the present invention uses one or more movable elements that are substantially opaque to the analytical radiation and at least partially transmissive to at least a portion of the spectral range of the viewing radiation.

Abstract: A microscope is provided with a supplementary means for producing a light spot in the object plane of the microscope objective lens. The supplementary means comprises a light source from which a collimated light beam is derived, a focusing lens receiving the collimated beam and a coupling lens disposed between the first lens and the objective lens. The supplementary means has the following features: the focal point of the focusing lens is in the plane of the image of a specimen in the object plane as obtained through the objective lens and the coupling lens, the light beam fills the clear aperture of the objective lens without substantial light loss and the light source and the focusing lens may be moved together to displace the light spot within or away from the object plane of the objective lens.

Abstract: A light source suitable for illuminating work pieces imaged by machine vision cameras. A beam splitter mirror is located within the camera optical axis, a uniform intensity light source provides light to a diffuser and the diffused light is reflected from the beam splitter to uniformly illuminate the object being observed by the camera with a minimum of stray reflections or glare. Stray and incidental light is absorbed by a light trap located in opposed relation to the diffuser.

Abstract: A stereoscopic tandem scanning reflected light confocal microscope employs longitudinal and transverse chromatic aberration in conjunction with color dispersion prisms in a binocular eyepiece assembly to provide a three dimensional vertical view through a specimen.

Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope operates to produce a small (preferably diffraction limited) spot on a sample, scan the spot over the sample in a raster pattern, and form an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of light emanating from the region of the spot. The electrical signal is communicated to a computer which produces a visual display on a monitor. The optical train between the source (or detector) and the sample comprises first and second scanning elements, each operable to scan the beam in a different direction, an afocal assembly located between the two scanning elements so as to transfer the beam from the first scanning element to the second scanning element, and standard microscope components including an objective. The light emanating from the sample encounters the objective, the scanning elements, and the afocal assembly prior to reaching the detector. An aperture is disposed in front of the detector and blocks any light that emanated from points spatially displaced from the beam spot.

Abstract: Systems and methods for illuminating an object surface with light at varying angles of incidence and for optically evaluating the object surface for features and defects, etc. are disclosed. In a specific implementation the systems and methods, the target object comprises a coin and the illumination and evaluation techniques are used to accurately objectively evaluate the numismatic quality of the coin and/or identify the coin. Central to the illumination and evaluation techniques is the ability to apply a uniform confined beam of light to the surface of the target object to be imaged. The confined angles of incidence of the beam of light includes a perpendicular component angle of incidence range and a parallel component angle of incidence range relative to the object surface. The component ranges are defined such a light beam illuminates the object surface from a well-defined direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination system for a surgical microscope comprising an illumination assembly (1), which is located outside the optical axis (2a) of the microscope lens, and two reflecting mirrors (4,6) which are located behind the illumination assembly, each directing respective portions of the illumination light to the operating area. The first reflecting mirror (4) directs its portion of the light onto the operating area at an oblique angle (preferably 6.degree.) relative to the viewing axis (2) of the microscope lens. The position of the second reflecting mirror (6) can be adjusted so that its portion of the light is directed to the operating area along a different path that is either (a) coincident with said viewing axis or (b) oblique to the axis at an angle closer than that formed by the path of the light directed by the first reflecting mirror (i.e., between 0.degree. and 6.degree.).

Abstract: A single aperture confocal scanning biomicroscope is disclosed with an illumination system having a pair of lenses surrounding an aperture for collimating a field of light, a pivotally mounted flap for blocking a central portion of the light in order to create peripheral illumination, and an aperture assembly comprised of a cylindrical lens, aperture, and beam splitter which is oscillated within the light field in order to create an aperture size optical beam for scanning a patient's eye and ocular adnexae. With the illumination system of the present invention, techniques involving both direct illumination and indirect illumination may be utilized in examining the eye to produce a true confocal image thereof. Single aperture confocal scanning techniques may be brought to existing slit lamp biomicroscopes with a kit comprised simply of a pair of lenses and an aperture in one embodiment which utilizes the existing illumination system.

Abstract: A binocular surgical loupe which enhances the illumination of the viewed field while avoiding flare effects of illuminating light within the loupe optics. The binocular system utilizes circularly polarized illumination and viewing to prevent flare effects and additionally enhances the illumination of the field of view by utilization of the illumination source waste beam that results from the presence of a beam splitter in the illumination path within the loupe. In addition, a camera system is provided which permits remote viewing of the user's field of view. In one embodiment the camera and view paths include separate, identical zoom lenses which are synchronously controlled so that the fields of illumination and view are kept coextensive. In another embodiment for a binocular loupe, the loupe optics for one eye combines illumination and viewing functions while the loupe for the other eye combines camera and viewing functions.

Abstract: A beam splitter, a first polarizing plate and a quarterwave plate are provided in that order on the optical axis of an image formation lens between an image formation plane and an objective lens. The first polarizing plate comprises a non-polarizing region for transmitting illuminating light and reflected light and a polarizing region provided to enclose the non-polarizing region for transmitting the illuminating light but limiting the reflected light which is rendered out of phase with the illuminating light by the quarterwave plate. Thus, the angular aperture of the illuminating light can be increased and an irradiated plane can be observed with no hindrance even if the same is inferior in flatness, while illuminance of the irradiated plane can be sufficiently ensured. At the same time, the angular aperture of the objective lens can be reduced, and the depth of focus Q is increased.