JP3650392B2 - Inverted microscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope that requires a plurality of optical paths for observing a sample image with an eyepiece and photographing with a still camera or a TV camera, and for observing and photographing an image of a phase object sample such as a cultured cell.

  In addition to visual observation performed through an eyepiece, a microscope is known in which a still camera or a TV camera is attached to a mirror so that a magnified image of a sample can be taken with the camera. Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 4-30565 discloses a microscope including an optical element for guiding light of an enlarged image of a sample to a photographing optical path. This microscope includes a first optical element for guiding light from the objective lens to the photographing optical path, and a second optical element for guiding light from the objective lens to the observation optical path. In this microscope, by switching the first optical element in three stages in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis, it is possible to select a photographing optical path in two directions. In addition to the observation optical path, a photographing optical path such as a TV camera or a still camera can be selected. Can be appropriately selected.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-172816, a beam splitter is inserted in the observation optical path reflected (branched) by the second optical element. A microscope that simultaneously guides light not only to an observation optical path but also to a photographing optical path is disclosed.

In recent years, in the field of life science research, with the development of high-sensitivity imaging devices and the development of fluorescent reagents, research experiments that detect extremely weak light that cannot be detected by the human eye, such as weak fluorescence observation and weak photometry, have increased. Yes. In the observation method called video microscopy, the light from the sample (specimen) is modulated, for example, a differential interference effect is applied, and the modulated image is processed (enhanced) into an image detected by a separate imaging device. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the moving amount and position of the moving sample is improved.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-30565 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-172816

  However, the above-described microscope still has the following problems to be solved.

  (1) The number of photographing optical paths is small. That is, it is natural that two shooting optical paths are provided together with a TV camera and a still camera for obtaining a picture, but two or more types of TV cameras cannot be installed and used properly.

  For example, in weak fluorescence observation, there are three types: a cold CCD camera for improving the spatial resolution, a photodiode array for improving the temporal resolution, and a small CCD camera for recording the specimen form. Since it is necessary to install a TV camera, at least three imaging optical paths are required.

  Note that in the inverted microscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-30565, the imaging optical path in two directions (front side and left side) is secured by switching the first optical element in three stages. Is for 35mm still cameras only. Therefore, only one TV camera can be attached.

  (2) The size of the image formed in each photographing optical path does not exactly match. In other words, when images are captured by multiple TV cameras, the size and size of each image obtained is accurately grasped, and by superimposing and comparing the images, changes and movements of the specimen over time can be accurately detected. However, if the sizes of the images do not match, these methods cannot be used.

  (3) The amount of light loss is large in each photographing optical path and observation optical path, and the amount of light loss in each photographing optical path and each observation optical path does not match.

  For example, in a general inverted microscope, the number of reflections of light to the observation tube is as many as three, and the light amount loss and image deterioration due to reflection are remarkable. In particular, with an inverted microscope, there is a custom of matching the specimen to the direction seen from above as the orientation of the observation image, and since the number of reflections needs to be an odd number, the number of reflections of the observation optical path is one, three, five, etc. It is.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-172816, the observation optical path is guided to the observation barrel by one reflection, and the beam splitter is detachable in the middle of the observation optical path, and a TV camera or a photographic device is attached. A configuration for guiding light to an accessory device is disclosed. However, since it is necessary to incorporate in advance a prism for correcting the amount of extension of the optical path by the beam splitter in the observation barrel, loss of the observation light quantity and image deterioration are likely to occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an inverted microscope that can secure three or more optical paths as photographing optical paths and is useful in various fields of research such as life science. The purpose is to do.

  An inverted microscope according to the present invention includes a light source that generates illumination light, an illumination optical system that irradiates the sample with illumination light generated by the light source, and an objective that is disposed below the sample and receives object light from the sample. A lens, an imaging lens that is provided on an optical path of the light that has passed through the objective lens, and that forms an image of the light that has passed through the objective lens for forming a primary image of the sample at a predetermined position; and the objective lens A first optical element that is arranged on an optical path between the first image and the primary image and branches the light that has passed through the objective lens in three or more different directions at the same magnification, and the first optical element. A second optical element provided on an optical path of the branched branched light and guided in a plurality of directions including an observation optical path for guiding the branched light incident from the first optical element to an eyepiece; and the first optical element. Branched light and said first Including three or more photographing optical paths on which light having passed through the optical element and the second optical element is incident, a stage on which the sample is placed, and a mirror housing, and one of the photographing optical paths The first optical element can be branched to a lower optical path of the second optical element, and when the position of the primary image is the lower optical path, it is outside the mirror housing, and in the case of the remaining photographing optical path, the mirror housing. The lower optical path and the other imaging optical path and the observation optical path can be used at the same time.

  Another inverted microscope according to the present invention includes a light source that generates illumination light, an illumination optical system that irradiates the sample with illumination light generated by the light source, and an object beam that is disposed below the sample and is incident on the sample. An objective lens, an imaging lens that is provided on an optical path of light that has passed through the objective lens, and that forms an image of the light that has passed through the objective lens to form a primary image of the sample at a predetermined position; and the sample A first optical element that is arranged on an optical path between the objective lens and the primary image and branches light passing through the objective lens in different directions; and A second optical element that is provided on the optical path of the branched light branched by the first optical element and guides the branched light incident from the first optical element in a plurality of directions including an observation optical path that guides the eyepiece to the eyepiece; and Branched by the first optical element Three or more photographing optical paths through which the light and the light that has passed through the first optical element and the second optical element are incident, and the observation optical path and the lens housing are provided with the imaging lens. A relay lens system that relays a sample image formed in the observation optical path, a first pupil modulator that is detachably provided in the illumination optical system, and a second pupil that is detachably provided in the relay lens. And a modulator.

Still another inverted microscope according to the present invention includes a light source that generates illumination light, an illumination optical system that irradiates the sample with illumination light generated by the light source, and an object beam that is disposed below the sample and is incident on the sample. An objective lens that forms a primary image of the sample that is provided on the optical path of the light that has passed through the objective lens, and that forms an image of the light that has passed through the objective lens at a predetermined position; A stage on which a sample is placed, a mirror housing, a first optical element that is arranged on an optical path between the objective lens and the primary image, and branches light that has passed through the objective lens in different directions; A second optical element that is provided on an optical path of the branched light branched by the first optical element and guides the branched light incident from the first optical element in a plurality of directions including an observation optical path that guides the eyepiece; In the first optical element Three or more photographing optical paths on which split light and light that has passed through the first optical element and the second optical element are incident, and the observation lens is provided in the observation optical path by the imaging lens. A relay lens system that relays the sample image formed in step 1, a first pupil modulator detachably provided in the illumination optical system, and a second pupil modulator detachably provided in the relay lens; One of the imaging optical paths can be branched to a lower optical path of the second optical element, and when the position of the primary image is the lower optical path, outside the mirror housing, In the case of the remaining photographing optical paths, it is installed so as to be in the vicinity of the side surface of the mirror housing, and the lower optical path and the other photographing optical path and the observation optical path can be used simultaneously.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inverted microscope that can secure three or more optical paths as photographing optical paths and is useful in various fields of research such as life science.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an inverted microscope. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the mutual positional relationship of optical systems in an inverted microscope, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the microscope viewed from the side, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the microscope viewed from the front. is there.

  In this inverted microscope, an illumination housing 2 is attached to the upper end of a mirror housing 1, and a light source 3 is accommodated in the illumination housing 2. The traveling direction of the light 4 output from the light source 3 is changed downward by the reflection mirror 5. The light 4 bent downward passes through the field stop 6 and enters the condenser lens 7. The condenser lens 7 condenses the light 4 on the sample 9 placed on the stage 8. The light that has passed through the sample 9 enters an objective lens 11 supported by a revolver 10 disposed on the lower side of the stage 8.

  The light that has passed through the objective lens 11 is incident on a fluorescent tube 12 that includes a dichroic mirror inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis. The fluorescent tube 12 receives illumination light from the light source 14 of the epi-illumination system 13.

  An imaging lens 15 that forms an image of light incident from the objective lens 11 at the position of the focal length is disposed below the fluorescent tube 12. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 29 a to 29 d indicate positions where the primary image of the sample 9 is formed by the imaging lens 15. The light that has passed through the imaging lens 15 enters the first optical element 16.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first optical element 16 includes three semi-transmissive prisms 16a, 16b, and 16c arranged in contact with each other in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. Each of the semi-transmissive prisms 16a to 16c has a semi-transmissive surface that transmits light incident from above and reflects the light in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the incident light and different from each other by 90 °.

  Specifically, the semi-transmissive prism 16a transmits light incident from above to the lower side and guides the incident light toward the first photographing optical path 17a (left direction). The central semi-transmissive prism 16b transmits light incident from above to the lower side, and guides the incident light toward the second photographing optical path 17b (front side). The semi-transmissive prism 16c transmits light incident from above to the lower side and guides the incident light toward the third photographing optical path 17c (right direction).

  The three transflective prisms 16a, 16b, and 16c are movably supported on a support base 18 indicated by a dotted line in the drawing. The translucent prisms 16a, 16b, and 16c supported by the support base 18 can be moved in three stages A, B, and C by a position adjusting knob 19 whose tip is exposed on the outer wall of the mirror housing 1. is there. When the position adjusting knob 19 is stopped at the A position, the transflective prism 16a is arranged on the optical path of the light 4, and the light 4 is guided to the photographing optical path 17a to form an image at the position 29a. When the position adjusting knob 19 is stopped at the B position, the semi-transmissive prism 16b is disposed on the optical path, and the light 4 is guided to the photographing optical path 17b and forms an image at the position 29b. When the position adjusting knob 19 is stopped at the C position, the semi-transmissive prism 16c is arranged on the optical path, and the light 4 is guided to the photographing optical path 17c and forms an image at the position 29c. That is, the arbitrary transflective prisms 16a, 16b, and 16c can be selectively moved to the optical axis position of the incident light. As a result, the observer can guide the light that has passed through the imaging lens 15 to any one of the first to third imaging optical paths 17a to 17c.

  The optical characteristics of the translucent prisms 16a to 16c and the second optical element 22 constituting the first optical element 16 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the reflectance can be selected by selecting a film thickness by vapor deposition of a ZnS-Ag thin film in the range of 0 to 100%.

  Further, since the required specifications required for the first and second optical elements 16 and 22 vary depending on the experiment purpose of the researcher, the reflectance / transmittance of the transflective prisms 16a to 16c is also 80/20%. , 50/50%, 100/0%, 0/100%. When simultaneously measuring fluorescence of two or more wavelengths, a dichroic mirror having a characteristic of reflecting short wavelength light and transmitting long wavelength light is used instead of the semi-transmissive prisms 16a to 16c. It is possible to perform simultaneous comparative metering by arranging a TV camera or a measurement system element in the photographing optical paths 17a and 17b or the photographing optical paths 17c and 17d. Furthermore, a 100% reflective mirror, that is, a total reflection mirror can be selected as the semitransparent mirror of the second optical element 22.

The image magnification of the primary image of the sample 9 formed on each of the photographing optical paths 17a to 17c is adjusted so as to completely coincide. That is, since the objective lens 11 itself is an infinity correction objective lens, it is not necessary to provide the finite correction objective lens with an imaging lens for infinity, and the revolver 10 may be moved to focus the sample 9. Further, the imaging lens 15 is an imaging lens corresponding to the infinity correction objective lens, and since no lens is inserted between the imaging lens 15 and the focal position 29 of each optical path, the image magnification of each optical path is equal. . In the embodiment, the focal length _{f B} is 180mm of the imaging lens 15, the image magnification is set to [1x].

  The light that has passed through any one of the semi-transmissive prisms 16 a to 16 c of the first optical element 16 enters the second optical element 22. The second optical element 22 is composed of, for example, a translucent mirror, and reflects incident light in the direction of the observation optical path 23 and transmits the incident light as it is to a new photographing optical path 17d below.

  The second optical element 22 is movably supported by a support base 24 and, like the first optical element 16, can be pulled out of the lens housing 1 by operating the insertion / removal lever 25. Is possible. When the second optical element 22 is pulled out of the optical path by the insertion / removal lever 25, the light enters only the photographing optical path 17d without being guided to the observation optical path 23. When the second optical element 22 is inserted in the optical path, it enters both the observation optical path 23 and the imaging optical path 17d.

  Similarly to the first optical element 16, the second optical element 22 can be replaced with a translucent mirror having other optical characteristics as required by the observer by the above insertion / removal mechanism. As a modification, an integrated body of the support base 24 and the insertion / removal lever 25 that holds the optical element 22 from the bottom surface of the mirror housing 1 may be attached to the bottom surface so as to be able to scatter from the optical path. Also by this funnel mechanism, it is possible to switch between the case where incident light is reflected in the direction of the observation optical path 23 and the case where it is transmitted only through a new imaging optical path 17d below.

  The light transmitted through the second optical element 22 and introduced into the photographing optical path 17d forms an image at a predetermined position 29 having the same distance as the photographing optical paths 17a to 17c of the first optical element 16. Further, the fact that the image magnification of the primary image of the sample 9 imaged on the photographing optical path 17d completely coincides with the image magnification of each of the photographing optical paths 17a to 17c of the first optical element 16 is that the imaging is performed. It is clear from the fact that no lens is interposed between the lens 15 and the focal positions 29a to 29d. Since the imaging surface of the TV camera is arranged at the focal position 29d of the photographing optical path 17d, a TV camera mounting mount (not shown) that fits the flange back of the desired TV camera can be attached to the outside of the lens housing 1 in the photographing optical path 17d. It has become. In other words, the imaging lens has a focal length that allows the mount to be attached to the outside of the mirror housing 1. The same applies to the focal lengths 29a and 29c of the photographing optical paths 17a and 17c.

  However, the focal length 29d of the imaging optical path 17d on the side that transmits the first optical element 16 is large enough to allow the mount to be attached to the outside of the lens housing 1 even when the first optical element 16 is removed and passed through. A mirror housing 1 is formed on the surface.

  The light reflected by the second optical element 22 and introduced into the observation optical path 23 also forms an image at the predetermined position 29e. It is possible to insert a mask glass for confirming an imaging region and a scale glass for comparing image sizes at this imaging position.

  On the other hand, in the photographing optical system 17b in which the light reflected in the horizontal direction by the first optical element 16 is incident, a primary image is formed in the focus type photographic lens 30a. The primary image is magnified by the photographic lens 30 a to form a secondary image on the film surface 29, and the image of the sample 9 is recorded on the film surface 29.

  Since a photographic optical path is provided below the second optical element 22, that is, on the back side of the microscope and is equal to the projection magnification of the other photographic optical paths, a larger number of TV cameras can be mounted.

  Since the first optical element 16 and the second optical element 22 can be easily inserted into and removed from the lens body housing 1 and can be easily exchanged, various different research experiments and individual requirements of researchers can be met. Matching optical paths can be configured, diversification and development of research experiments can be handled with a single microscope, and work efficiency can be improved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the three optical paths for photographing are reflected by the first optical element 16, even if one optical path is used as a 35 mm camera optical path for photography, the remaining two optical paths are used. The combination of high-sensitivity TV cameras and high-resolution TV cameras can be used, and the projection magnification of each optical path is the same. , Making comparison work easier and facilitating research such as weak fluorescence observation and photometry, and improving work efficiency and experimental accuracy. Specifically, a part of the observation cell in the field of view is aligned with the center of the cooled CCD, and the photodiode array is further matched with this, and the shape of the specimen is memorized with a small CCD and simultaneously with two optical paths or observation. May be switched.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the transflective prisms 16 a to 16 c and the support base 18. The support base 18 has a dovetail groove 18a formed in the horizontal direction, and an ant 20a of a moving member 20 that is moved by a position adjusting knob 19 is slidably engaged with the dovetail groove 18a. By operating the position adjusting knob 19, the moving member 20 slides in the horizontal direction between the dovetail 20a and the dovetail groove 18a.

  The stopper screw 21 'is screwed in the vicinity of the end of the dovetail groove 18a as shown in the figure. By adjusting the amount of protrusion of the stopper screw 21 'head, positioning is performed when the opposite translucent prism 16c enters the optical axis position.

  A stopper screw is similarly provided on the opposite side of the dovetail groove 18a. By adjusting the stopper screw, positioning is performed when the transflective prism 16a located on the near side enters the optical axis position. Although not shown, a known click mechanism is used as a method for positioning the central translucent prism 16b at the optical axis position.

  The moving member 20 has dovetail grooves 20a ", 20b", 20c "formed in the vertical direction, and support frames 21a for supporting the semi-transmissive prisms 16a, 16b, 16c in the dovetail grooves 20a", 20b ", 20c" 21b and 21c are inserted. The dovetail grooves 20a ", 20b", 20c "are not limited to the vertical direction but may be the same as the sliding direction of the moving member 20. In this case, the support frame 21a of the semi-transmissive prisms 16a to 16c is not affected. -21c are fixed by pressing the tips of the screws 21a'-21c 'into the dovetail grooves 20a ", 20b", 20c ", respectively.

  In addition, as a modification, there is no problem even if fastening means such as positioning pins or grooves and screws are used together to fix the moving member 20 and the support frame 21. By loosening and removing the stopper screw 21 ′ and operating the position adjustment knob 19, it is possible to pull out the entire moving member 20 mounted with the support frames 21 a to 21 c to the outside of the lens housing 1.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along the alternate long and short dash line AA and viewed in the direction of the arrow. The observer simply pulls the transflective prisms 16a to 16c of the drawn moving member 20 individually for each of the support frames 21a, 21b, and 21c, thereby easily allowing the transflective prisms 16a having other optical characteristics. It is possible to exchange for ~ 16c. The semi-transmissive prisms 16a to 16c are detached from the moving member 20 by loosening the screws 21a ', 21b', and 21c 'fixing the support frames 21a to 21c and pulling them upward.

  The light that has passed through the imaging lens 15 passes through one transflective prism 16a to 16c selected by the position adjusting knob 19 and one through-hole 35a to 35c formed in each of the support frames 21a to 21c. An image is formed at predetermined positions 29a to 29b above.

  The light guided to the observation optical path 23 travels in the direction of the observation barrel 27 through the relay lens system 26 including a plurality of group lenses after passing through a predetermined imaging position 29e. The plurality of group lenses include at least two groups, and the front group includes a pupil relay lens 26c that relays the pupil image of the objective lens 11, and projects the pupil image of the objective lens 11 onto a position 26b. A pupil modulator 26b having amplitude modulation such as a phase difference phase plate and a modulator for modulation contrast is provided at a position 26b conjugate with the pupil image. The pupil modulator 26b is configured to be detachably provided from the outside of the lens body housing 1 by a mechanism described later. The rear group 26a of the plurality of group lenses includes an image relay lens that projects a primary image formed at the primary image formation position 29e of the objective lens 11 to infinity. The light emitted from the image relay lens 26 a becomes parallel light and enters the imaging lens 27 a in the observation barrel 27. The imaging lens 27 a forms an image of the incident light at a predetermined position 29 e ′ in the observation barrel 27. The observer can observe an enlarged image of the sample 9 formed at the position 29e ′ through the eyepiece lens 27b.

  Here, the operation of the optical system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of an optical system excluding the transmission illumination optical system in the inverted microscope shown in FIGS. The image of the sample 9 is magnified by the objective lens 11, and the magnified light beam passes through the imaging lens 15 and the first optical element 16, enters the reflection mirror 22, and is reflected to the observation optical path 23 (not shown in the figure). Although shown, a part of the light is transmitted and incident on the photographing optical path 17d). The expanded light beam reflected by the reflection mirror 22 to the observation optical path 23 forms a primary image at a point 29e. The primary image is guided to the pupil relay lens 26c, the pupil modulator 26b, and the first group of image relay lenses 27a, and is formed in the vicinity of the eyepiece lens 27b by the second group of image relay lenses 27a. As described above, the secondary image formation is observed by the eyepiece lens 27b.

  Here, between the first group and the second group of image relay lenses 26a and 27a, a mounting surface (indicated by a broken line in the figure) of the observation barrel 27 to the lens body housing 1 is located. Therefore, the second group of image relay lenses 27 a corresponds to the imaging lens 27 a in the observation lens barrel 27.

  Describing the imaging relationship, the objective lens 11 is designed at infinity, and the primary image is formed by the imaging lens 15, and the secondary image is formed in the vicinity of the eyepiece lens 27 b by the pupil relay lens 26 c and the image relay lens 27 a. Form an image. Since the objective lens 11 is designed at infinity, a parallel optical system is provided between the objective lens 11 and the imaging lens 15. For example, when the object 9 is focused, the first lens 11 is moved even when the objective lens 11 is moved. The position of primary image formation does not change. Therefore, the focusing mechanism may be configured to move the objective lens 11, and a mechanism generally called a revo up-and-down method in which a plurality of objective lenses 11 are attached and the revolver 10 is moved up and down can be adopted as the focusing mechanism.

  In the present embodiment, the pupil of the objective lens 11 existing in the vicinity of the revolver mounting surface of the objective lens 11 is reflected upward by 45 ° through the imaging lens 15 and the first optical element 16 and burned by the reflection mirror 22. Projecting to the modulator 26b. Further, there is a position conjugate with the pupil of the objective lens 11 in the vicinity of the condenser lens 7, and another pupil modulator can be arranged there. Here, the pupil modulator 26 b in the relay lens system 26 is referred to as a first pupil modulator, and the pupil modulator disposed in the vicinity of the condenser lens 7 is referred to as a second pupil modulator 100.

  Actually, the optimal position of the pupil modulator in the optical axis direction varies slightly depending on the error of each optical component used in the relay system, especially the refractive index error, so the pupil modulator can be finely adjusted in the optical axis direction. Is preferable. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pupil modulator is configured to be capable of position adjustment and center alignment in the optical axis direction.

  If an optimum pupil modulator 26b for observing living cells or cultured cells cultured in a microwell plate or a plastic Erlenmeyer flask is prepared, the objective lens can be obtained simply by inserting the pupil modulator 26b into the relay lens system 26. Optimal contrast is obtained for each container without replacement.

  According to the optical system including the first and second pupil modulators, the phase plates 82a and 82b are arranged in the first pupil modulator 26b, and the ring slit is arranged in the second pupil modulator. Phase difference observation outside the objective lens is possible, and phase difference observation can be easily performed without using an objective lens dedicated to the phase difference.

  Although the optimum pupil modulator differs depending on the magnification and NA of the objective lens 11, the pupil position, and the sample 9 to be observed, in this embodiment, the type of the pupil modulator can be switched by the pupil modulation slider 81. Therefore, it is possible to easily switch to the optimal pupil modulator according to the type of the objective lens 11 or the type of the sample 9.

  Since a phase difference or a modulation contrast microscope (Hoffman method) can be used, when observing cells in a plastic culture vessel, there is an advantage that the polarization performance is not affected by the vessel.

  Observation using a low-magnification objective lens such as phase contrast and modulation contrast microscope (Hoffman method) is possible. However, when Nomarski is used for a low-magnification objective lens, the pupil aberration of the objective lens causes a near field of view. Retardation occurs and unevenness occurs in the visual field, but the present invention has an advantage that no visual field unevenness occurs because the Nomarski interference method is not used. In addition, image degradation which is a problem in the polarization observation method and the Nomarski observation method does not occur.

  7 and 8 show the mechanical configuration of the first pupil modulator 26b. The first pupil modulator 26b includes a pupil modulation slider 81 in the vicinity of the conjugate lens position 95 with the objective lens pupil image in the relay lens system 26. The pupil modulation slider 81 is connected to a locking mechanism (not shown) such as a click mechanism. To be locked. The pupil modulation slider 81 has a rectangular shape as a whole, and has three openings in the longitudinal direction thereof. Two types of phase plates 82a and 82b are held in the openings on both sides so as to be compatible with two types of objectives, and the central opening is a hole 83 for the case of no modulation. The phase plate 82a or 82b corresponding to the type of the objective lens 11 is used.

  A V-groove 84 for stopping the slider is provided on the side surface of the pupil modulation slider 81 along the longitudinal direction. Each V-groove 84 engages with the locking mechanism when the corresponding phase plate 82a, 82b or hole 83 is disposed on the optical axis. The phase plate 82 a (82 b) is fixed to a cylindrical holding frame 85, and the outer periphery of the holding frame 85 is shaft-fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the outer frame 86. The holding frame 85 is provided with an operation knob 88 for adjusting the phase film 87 of the phase plate 82a (82b) to a position conjugate with the pupil of the objective lens. The operation knob 88 is screwed to the outer periphery of the holding frame 85 through the guide groove 89 of the outer frame 86. The phase film 87 can be adjusted to the conjugate position 95 by moving the operation knob 88 along the guide groove 89 in the optical axis direction. Further, the phase plate 82a (82b) is fixed by pressing a flange 90 formed on the outer periphery of the knob tip of the operation knob 88 against the outer frame 86.

  In the case of phase difference observation, a phase difference aperture is provided in the vicinity of the condenser lens 7 in order to modulate illumination. In order to align the center of the phase film 87 with the position of this aperture, the pupil modulation slider 81 is provided. A plunger 91 and two adjustment knobs 92 are provided. The three points at the tip of the plunger 91 and the two adjustment knobs 92 abut on the outer periphery of the outer frame 86, and the phase film 87 can be centered by rotating the adjustment knob 92.

  Although a sharp image is obtained by phase difference observation, the directionality of the transparent sample is not known. In the Hoffman modulation contrast, the direction of the sample is known, a thick transparent sample can be observed, and the depth of focus is deep, so that it can be viewed in three dimensions. Ecological samples are contained in glass dishes or plastic dishes, but in the case of the Hoffmann method, a polarizing plate is added to the pupil modulator in the glass petri dish to further improve the contrast. In plastic dishes, no polarizing plate is used. There is an advantage that it can be released from the polarization distortion of the plastic petri dish.

  In the present embodiment, since the first pupil modulator 26b is arranged in the lens housing 1, observation of the phase difference outside the objective lens, the Hoffman modulation contrast, and the like can be performed without making a separate body like the intermediate lens barrel. It becomes possible.

  Unlike the phase contrast image, the modulation contrast image needs to rotate the pupil modulator in order to adjust the directionality of the contrast of the image. It can be easily removed and replaced with the unit.

  Since the pupil modulator 26b is detachably and detachably mounted in the lens body housing 1, the size and operability of the pupil modulation unit are improved. Further, since a parallel optical system is formed between the image relay lens 26a of the observation optical path 23 and the imaging lens 27a of the observation barrel 27, the observation barrel 27 is not directly attached to the mirror housing 1, but FIG. As shown in (a), observation barrels 34 having different inclination angles can be attached via the optical path deflecting device 33.

  Here, the optical path deflecting prism 33a in the optical path deflecting device 33 is for leveling the observation lens barrel mounting surface, and the prism 34b attached to the tip of the observation lens barrel 34 has an observation lens tilt angle, for example, It is a prism that makes 30 degrees. The imaging lens 34a corresponds to the imaging lens 27a, and the eyepiece lens 34b corresponds to the imaging lens 27b.

  Further, an optical path deflection prism 33b shown in FIG. 12B may be used instead of the optical path deflection prism 33b shown in FIG. If the optical path deflecting prism 33b shown in FIG. 12B is used, the distance from the sample 9 to the eye point of the eyepiece lens 27b can be shortened.

  Further, it is possible to easily insert a discussion barrel, a variable magnification barrel, a photo barrel and the like as an intermediate barrel into the parallel optical system. Specifically, since the observation barrel 27 can be easily detached from the lens housing 1, the above-described various intermediate barrels are provided between the observation barrel 27 and the lens housing 1 as necessary. It is possible to intervene.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inverted microscope according to the embodiment when the discussion lens barrel 28 is combined as an example of the intermediate lens barrel and viewed from the front. The discussion lens barrel 28 is an observation tube for the sub-observer to observe simultaneously with the main observer, and is attached to the upper part of the image relay lens 26 a in the observation optical path 23. As shown in the figure, the discussion barrel 28 mainly includes an optical path splitting prism 28a, a relay lens 28b, and a reflecting prism 28c. The sub-observation tube 27 'has the same structure as the observation tube 27, and a support leg 31 for stabilizing the apparatus is provided on the sub-observation tube side.

  In FIG. 9, the discussion barrel 28 is attached via the optical path deflecting device 33, but not limited thereto, there is no problem even if it is directly attached to the microscope main body (the mirror housing 1). However, since the mounting surface is inclined, the lens barrel support portion of the support leg 31 can be exchanged or supported so that the inclined discussion lens barrel 28 can be supported.

  A parallel optical system is provided in the middle of the observation optical path, and the lens housing 1 and the observation lens barrel 27 can be separated at that position, so that a discussion lens barrel or a variable magnification lens barrel can be used as an intermediate lens for the purpose of the research experiment. Can be inserted or stacked in two stages. As a result, the application range of the microscope can be further expanded. Further, since the intermediate lens barrel is inserted in the parallel optical system, it is not necessary to add a special lens to the intermediate lens tube, and an image with high quality can be obtained at all times.

  The image relay lens includes a first group 26a for projecting a primary image to infinity and a second group 27a for limiting an image projected at infinity, and a mirror is provided between the first group and the second group. Since the lens barrel can be removed, an observation-only lens barrel or a photography barrel can be attached, and photography can be performed by guiding the image after being modulated by the pupil modulator to the photographic apparatus.

  Note that the focal length of the imaging lens is not limited to 180 mm and is about 150 mm to 200 mm as long as the optical characteristics and the entire optical element arrangement are possible within a desired number of fields (for example, 20 or more). But it ’s okay. Moreover, although the infinity design objective lens was demonstrated, it is applicable also to a finite design objective lens. In this case, the imaging position of the finitely designed objective lens alone may be extended, or an infinite distance auxiliary lens may be provided at the immovable position by conversion within the revolver to which the finitely designed objective lens is attached.

  Since the objective lens 11 designed at infinity is used, the interval between the imaging lens 15 and the objective lens 11 can be set to 50 mm or more, and a dichroic mirror for performing epi-illumination from the fluorescent light projection tube during this interval. And a Nomarski prism, a polarizing observation polarizing plate, etc. can be inserted, and various observation methods are possible.

  FIG. 13 shows an example in which the objective lens 11a of the finite design shown in FIG. 6 is used in an inverted microscope. This inverted microscope passes from the sample 9 through the objective lens 11a, becomes a parallel optical system by the concave lens 11b, is condensed by the imaging lens 15a, and forms an image at predetermined positions 29b, 29e, etc. (similar to FIG. 1). . The relay optical system is the same as that shown in FIG. 6, but is almost the same although there are some changes corresponding to the objective lens 11a of finite design. In the case of the finite design, since the imaging lens is not included in the observation lens barrel, the two-dot broken line in the figure serves as a mounting surface of the observation lens barrel to the lens housing, and the imaging lenses 26a 'and 27a' or the integral 26a '. Except for ′, it can be configured without much difference from the infinity design.

  (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the mutual positional relationship of the optical systems in the upright microscope of the embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the microscope of the embodiment viewed from the side. The light 54 output from the light source 53 housed in the illumination housing 52 attached to the lower end of the mirror housing 51 is deflected upward by the reflection mirror 55, passes through the field stop 56, and passes through the field stop 56. The light is condensed on a sample (specimen) 59 placed on the stage 58. The light transmitted through the sample (specimen) 59 is incident on the objective lens 61 supported by the revolver 60 disposed on the upper side of the stage 58. The enlarged image light that has passed through the objective lens 61 is incident on a fluorescent cube 62 that includes an excitation filter 62a, a dichroic mirror 62b, and an absorption filter 62c. Illumination light is incident on the fluorescent cube 62 from a light source 64 of an epi-illumination system such as a mercury lamp or a xenon light source.

  On the upper side of the fluorescent cube 62, an image forming lens 65 for forming an image of light coming from the objective lens 61 at a focal position is disposed. The light that has passed through the imaging lens 65 enters the first optical element 66.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the first optical element 66 includes three semi-transmissive prisms 66a, 66b, and 66c arranged in contact with each other in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. Each of the semi-transmissive prisms 66a to 66c transmits light incident from below, and branches the incident light in directions orthogonal to the optical axis of the incident light and different from each other by 90 °.

  Specifically, the semi-transmissive prism 66a transmits light incident from below to the upper side, guides the incident light toward the first photographing optical path 67a (left direction), and the central semi-transmissive prism 66b is incident from below. The transmitted light is transmitted upward, and the incident light is guided in the direction of the second photographing optical path 67b (see FIG. 11). Further, the semi-transmissive prism 66c transmits the light incident from below and transmits the incident light. The light is guided in the third photographing optical path 67c direction (right direction).

  Further, the three transflective prisms 66a, 66b, 66c are movably supported by a support base 68 indicated by a dotted line in the drawing. The translucent prisms 66a, 66b, 66c supported by the support base 68 are collectively positioned at (A), (B), (C) by a position adjusting knob 70 whose tips are exposed on the outer wall of the optical path dividing unit 69. 3). Therefore, by operating the position adjusting knob 70, the arbitrary transflective prisms 66a, 66b, 66c can be selectively moved to the optical axis position of the incident light. As a result, the observer can guide the light that has passed through the imaging lens 65 to any one of the first to third photographing optical paths 67a to 67c.

  When the position adjustment knob 70 is set to A, the semi-transmissive prism 66a is disposed in the optical axis, and the light is guided to the photographing optical path 67a to form an image at a predetermined position (71a). Others similarly move corresponding to the alphabet of the position adjusting knob 70. The relationship between the transflective prisms 66a to 66c and the support base 68 is the same as that of the configuration of FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. The transflective prisms 66a to 66c are mounted and any prism is selectively moved into the optical path 72. Thus, it is possible to draw out the moving member (the same member as the moving member 20 in FIG. 4 although not shown in the second embodiment) to the outside of the housing 69 of the optical path dividing unit. Similarly to the first embodiment, each of the semi-transmissive prisms 66a to 66c is detachable and can be replaced with a semi-transmissive prism having other optical characteristics.

Further, the image magnification of the sample (specimen) 59 imaged on each of the photographing optical paths 67a to 67c is adjusted so as to be completely coincident. That is, since the objective lens 61 itself is an objective lens that compensates for infinity, the finite correction objective lens does not require an infinity replacement lens, and the sample 58 may be covered with the stage 58 for focusing. Reference numeral 65 denotes an imaging lens corresponding to the objective lens with infinity compensation. Since no lens is inserted between the imaging lens 65 and the focal position 71 of each optical path, the image magnifications of the respective optical paths are equal. In the present embodiment, the focal length _{f B} is 180mm of the imaging lens 65, the image magnification is set to [1x].

  Light that has passed through any one of the semi-transmissive prisms 66 a to 66 c of the first optical element 66 is incident on the second optical element 73. In this embodiment, the optical path splitting unit housing 74 having the second optical element 73 is a generally known trinocular tube. The optical path splitting prism 73 includes an observation optical path 75 for visual observation and a photograph. And a prism that splits into the imaging optical path 76 for TV shooting, and is constituted by three types of prisms with different division ratios.

  The light in the imaging optical path 76 and the observation optical path 75 transmitted / reflected by the second optical element forms an image at a predetermined position X (71d, e) at the same distance as each of the imaging optical paths 67a to 67c of the first optical element 66. . Further, the image magnification of the image of the sample 59 formed on the two optical paths 75 and 76 is completely coincident with the image magnifications of the photographing optical paths 67a to 67c of the first optical element 66. It is clear from the fact that no lens is interposed between the lens and the focal position of each optical path.

  Since the imaging surfaces of the TV camera are arranged at three focal positions (71a, 71c, 71d) in the photographing optical paths 67a, 67c, 76, a desired TV camera is arranged in the three optical paths (67a, 67c, 76). TV camera mounting mounts (69c, 74d) that fit the flange back are disposed outside the optical path dividing unit 69 and the trinocular tube 74. A mount (not shown) also exists on the photographing optical path 67a side.

  The case where the first optical element 66b is inserted into the optical path 72 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The light of the magnified image of the sample 59 that has passed through the objective lens 61 passes through the imaging lens 65, and then the amount of light corresponding to the ratio of the division ratio of the first optical element 66b is reflected on the photographing optical path 67b side or three glasses. It is transmitted to the cylinder 74 side. Since the transmission side has already been described, the optical path reflected on the photographing optical path 67b side will be described here.

  On the opposite optical path, as shown in FIG. 11, a pupil Lee lens group 77 that relays the pupil image of the objective lens and an imaging lens 65 form an image at the focal position 71 b (the sample that has passed through the objective lens 61 ( A secondary image relay lens group (second group configuration) 78 and 79 that further relays the primary image of the specimen 59) and a reflection mirror 96 that deflects light deflected in the horizontal direction by the first optical element 66b upward are arranged. Has been.

  The above-described optical path splitting unit housing 69 includes an imaging lens 65, semi-transmission prisms 66a to 66c, a pupil relay lens 77, one of secondary image relay lens groups 78, and an optical element of a reflection mirror 96. The secondary image relay lens group 78 is a group for projecting the primary image to infinity, and 79 has a role of making the image projected at infinity finite. It is a parallel light beam. Reference numeral 95 denotes a position conjugate with the pupil image of the objective lens 61 projected by the pupil relay lens 77.

  The optical path dividing unit housing 69 is provided with an aperture (not shown) near the objective lens pupil image and the conjugate position 95 and a pupil modulator 97 having the same configuration as the pupil modulator shown in FIGS. The pupil modulator 97 is intermittently fixed by a locking mechanism (for example, a click mechanism) provided in the vicinity of the pupil conjugate position 95. The other pupil modulator 97a is disposed in the vicinity of the condenser lens 57 in FIG.

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the projection optical path reflected by the first optical element 66 is provided with three optical paths. Therefore, even if one optical path is used as an optical path for pupil modulation, the remaining two optical paths are used. Can be used as a combination of a high-sensitivity TV camera and a high-resolution TV camera, and since the projection magnification of each projection optical path is the same, grasp the size of the specimen using the obtained multiple images and overlay the images In addition, the comparison work can be facilitated, facilitating the realization of research such as weak fluorescence observation and photometry, and improvement of work efficiency and experimental accuracy.

  By making the pupil modulator 97 for phase difference and stereoscopic vision detachable in the optical path of the relay lens, simultaneous observation of bright field and phase difference, fluorescence and fluorescence phase difference and the like became possible.

  When detecting extremely faint light, fluorescence measurement is performed after observing the phase difference for positioning the sample. However, since phase difference observation and fluorescence photometry can be performed with the same objective lens, there is only misalignment due to objective conversion. Measurement accuracy can be improved.

  By making the optical path dividing unit of the first optical element and the relay lens capable of pupil modulation detachable from the microscope with an intermediate barrel type, it is possible to improve the system performance of the upright microscope.

  Since the relay lens is divided into two groups and the intermediate lens barrel (optical path splitting unit 69) is divided by the infinity projection (light beam) portion of the image relay lens system, the observation or photographing lens barrel including the second group of image relay lenses is provided. If this is the case, the core accuracy due to the unit division can be reduced and provided at low cost.

  Since the imaging lens is removed from the observation lens directly above the objective lens, and the imaging lens is provided directly under the first optical element in the intermediate lens, the intermediate lens is removed during normal bright field or fluorescence microscopy. It is only necessary to insert the attached observation lens barrel into the microscope body, and the influence on the system properties of the microscope can be reduced as much as possible, and a plurality of imaging optical paths with equal image magnification can be provided.

  The relay lens system that can modulate the pupil on the side reflected by the semi-transmission prism 66b is separated from the housing 69 of the optical path splitting unit to form separate units, and the interface of the separate unit is used as the housing of the optical path splitting unit. If the shape is the same as that of the TV camera mounting mount (69c) on both sides of 69, the relay lens unit can be mounted anywhere in three directions (optical paths 67a, b, c). The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the optical system of the inverted microscope concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the optical system which looked at 1st Embodiment from the side. The perspective view which shows the optical system which looked at 1st Embodiment from the front. The perspective view which shows the principal part of the insertion / removal mechanism from the mirror housing of the 1st optical element in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 4. The figure which extracts and shows the optical system of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the machine structure of the pupil modulator with which 1st Embodiment was equipped. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 7. The perspective view which shows the discussion lens tube integrated in 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the optical system of the upright microscope concerning 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the optical system which looked at 2nd Embodiment from the side. The figure which shows the optical system which attached the other observation barrel to 1st Embodiment, and the figure which shows the modification of an optical path deflection | deviation apparatus. It is a figure which shows the case where a finite design optical system is applied to 1st Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mirror housing, 9 ... Sample, 11, 61 ... Objective lens, 15, 65 ... Imaging lens, 16, 66 ... 1st optical element, 16a-16c ... Transflective prism, 17a-17d ... Shooting optical path, 22, 73 ... second optical element, 23 ... observation optical path, 26b, 97, 100 ... pupil modulator, 27 ... observation cylinder.

Claims (7)

  A light source that generates illumination light;
  An illumination optical system that irradiates the sample with illumination light generated by the light source;
  An objective lens disposed below the sample and receiving object light from the sample;
  An imaging lens that is provided on an optical path of light that has passed through the objective lens and that forms light at a predetermined position through the objective lens for forming a primary image of the sample;
  A first optical element that is arranged on an optical path between the objective lens and the primary image and branches light that has passed through the objective lens in three or more different directions at the same magnification;
  A second optical element that is provided on an optical path of the branched light branched by the first optical element and guides the branched light incident from the first optical element in a plurality of directions including an observation optical path that guides the eyepiece;
  Three or more photographing optical paths into which the light branched by the first optical element and the light having passed through the first optical element and the second optical element are incident;
  A stage on which the sample is placed and a mirror housing;
  One of the imaging optical paths can be branched to a lower optical path of the second optical element, and when the position of the primary image is the lower optical path, the remaining imaging optical paths are outside the mirror housing. In this case, the inverted microscope is installed so as to be in the vicinity of the side surface of the mirror housing, and the lower optical path and the other imaging optical path and the observation optical path can be used simultaneously.   The inverted microscope according to claim 1, wherein the first optical element includes at least a semi-transmissive prism or a dichroic mirror.   The inverted microscope according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the second optical element is insertable / removable or replaceable, and the second optical element is a total reflection mirror or a half mirror. .   A light source that generates illumination light;
  An illumination optical system that irradiates the sample with illumination light generated by the light source;
  An objective lens disposed below the sample and receiving object light from the sample;
  An imaging lens that is provided on an optical path of light that has passed through the objective lens and that forms light at a predetermined position through the objective lens for forming a primary image of the sample;
  A stage on which the sample is placed and a mirror housing;
  A first optical element that is arranged on an optical path between the objective lens and the primary image and branches light that has passed through the objective lens in different directions;
  A second optical element that is provided on an optical path of the branched light branched by the first optical element and guides the branched light incident from the first optical element in a plurality of directions including an observation optical path that guides the eyepiece;
  Three or more photographing optical paths on which light branched by the first optical element and light that has passed through the first optical element and the second optical element are incident;
  A relay lens system that relays a sample image formed in the observation optical path by the imaging lens provided in the observation optical path and the mirror housing;
  A first pupil modulator detachably provided in the illumination optical system;
  A second pupil modulator detachably provided in the relay lens;
An inverted microscope characterized by comprising:   The inverted microscope according to claim 4, wherein the position of the second pupil modulator is adjustable in an optical axis direction of the observation optical path or in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.   A light source that generates illumination light;
  An illumination optical system that irradiates the sample with illumination light generated by the light source;
  An objective lens disposed below the sample and receiving object light from the sample;
  An imaging lens that is provided on an optical path of light that has passed through the objective lens and that forms light at a predetermined position through the objective lens for forming a primary image of the sample;
  A stage on which the sample is placed and a mirror housing;
  A first optical element that is arranged on an optical path between the objective lens and the primary image and branches light that has passed through the objective lens in different directions;
  A second optical element that is provided on an optical path of the branched light branched by the first optical element and guides the branched light incident from the first optical element in a plurality of directions including an observation optical path that guides the eyepiece;
  Three or more photographing optical paths on which light branched by the first optical element and light that has passed through the first optical element and the second optical element are incident;
  A relay lens system that relays a sample image formed in the observation optical path by the imaging lens provided in the observation optical path;
  A first pupil modulator detachably provided in the illumination optical system;
  A second pupil modulator detachably provided in the relay lens,
  One of the imaging optical paths can be branched to a lower optical path of the second optical element, and when the position of the primary image is the lower optical path, the remaining imaging optical paths are outside the mirror housing. In this case, the inverted microscope is installed so as to be in the vicinity of the side surface of the mirror housing, and the lower optical path and the other imaging optical path and the observation optical path can be used simultaneously.   The inverted microscope according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging device disposed at the position of the primary image in the imaging optical path.

Images