JP3327432B2 - Confocal light scanner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a confocal optical scanner for performing optical scanning by rotating a disk provided with a plurality of condensing means and apertures, and more particularly to a confocal optical scanner capable of expanding a field of view. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A confocal optical scanner is used as a scanning means of a confocal microscope or the like, and performs optical scanning by rotating a disk provided with an aperture. In particular, by providing light collecting means on the disk in the same pattern as the aperture, and by rotating this disk in synchronization with the disk provided with the aperture, the light use efficiency is improved. Can be.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of such a conventional confocal optical scanner, which is described in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 4-15411 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-60980) filed by the present applicant. Things.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a laser, 2 denotes a disk provided with a microlens as a focusing means (hereinafter, referred to as a microlens plate), 3 denotes a beam splitter as a light splitting means, and 4 denotes an aperture. A disk provided with a pinhole (hereinafter referred to as a pinhole plate), 5 is an objective lens, 6
Is a sample, 7 is a relay lens, 8 is a photographing device such as a camera,
Reference numeral 9 denotes a motor that rotates the microlens plate 2 and the pinhole plate 4 in synchronization. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 constitute a confocal optical scanner 50.

The output light of the laser 1 is incident on the microlens plate 2 and is condensed on each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4 via the beam splitter 3 by each microlens provided on the microlens plate 2. You. The light passing through each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4 is
And is incident on the sample 6 through.

Return light such as reflected light from the sample 6 is again incident on the pinhole plate 4 via the objective lens 5, and light passing through each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4 is reflected by the beam splitter 3. , Through a relay lens 7 to a photographing device 8.

The microlens plate 2 and the pinhole plate 4 are fixed on the same shaft, and are rotated synchronously by a motor 9 mounted on this shaft.

Here, the operation of the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The output light of the laser 1 scans the surface of the sample 6 by passing through each microlens on the microlens plate 2 and each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4 which rotate synchronously.

When the reflected light from the sample 6 is photographed by the photographing device 8, for example, a polarizing plate or the like is provided between the pinhole plate 4 and the objective lens 5, and the planes of polarization of the incident light and the reflected light are rotated. By using a polarizing beam splitter as the beam splitter 3, the reflected light from the sample 6 can be separated.

On the other hand, when the fluorescence from the sample 6 is photographed by the photographing device 8, the fluorescence from the sample 6 can be separated by using a dichroic mirror as the beam splitter 3.

Further, as described above, each micro lens provided on the micro lens plate 2 condenses incident light to each pin hole on the pin hole plate 4 via the beam splitter 3. That is, by arranging the pinhole at the focal position of the microlens, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the incident light from the laser 1.

[0012]

However, in the prior art shown in FIG. 4, the beam splitter 3 is provided between the microlens plate 2 and the pinhole plate 4 so that the return light is relayed before passing through the microlens plate 2. It is necessary to form an image with the photographing device 8 via the lens 7.

This is because if the return light passes through the microlens plate 2, it becomes parallel light, so that the return light cannot be imaged on the photographing device 8.

In this case, the size of the beam splitter 3 that can be provided between the microlens plate 2 and the pinhole plate 4 according to the focal length of the microlens on the microlens plate 2 indicated by “a” in FIG. However, there is a problem that the observable field of view is narrowed.

Further, the dichroic mirror used for fluorescence observation in the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 has a reflection and transmission characteristic opposite to that of a normal dichroic mirror for an epi-illumination fluorescence microscope. There is also a problem that it will. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize a confocal optical scanner which has a large observable visual field and is inexpensive.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disk having a plurality of light collecting means and a plurality of apertures having the same pattern as the light collecting means. In a confocal optical scanner that scans a sample by condensing light that has passed through the light condensing means and the aperture by rotating a disk in synchronization, the incident light is reflected or transmitted to return light from the sample. A light splitting means for transmitting or reflecting the light, a disc having a condensing means on which the reflected light or transmitted light of the light splitting means is incident, and a transmitted light from the disc having the light condensing means incident thereon; the optical axis from the focal length of the optical means
A disk having an opening provided at a position shifted along the sample direction along the axis .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a disk having a plurality of light-collecting means and a disk having a plurality of apertures having the same pattern as the light-collecting means are rotated in synchronization with each other, and the light-collecting means and the aperture are formed. Convergent light scanner that condenses light that has passed through and scans a sample, a light splitting unit that reflects incident light and transmits return light from the sample, and receives reflected light from the light splitting unit. a first circular plate having a plurality of focusing means, the said first disc has transmitted light is incident of the light branching means
A second disc having a condensing means having the same pattern as the condensing means, and the condensing means of the first disc on which light transmitted from the first disc having the condensing means is incident ; Same pattern
And a disc having an opening.

[0018]

By providing the pinhole plate at a position slightly deviated from the focal length of the microlens in the optical axis direction, the observable field of view is increased. Further, a dichroic mirror for an epi-illumination fluorescence microscope can be used as it is, and a relay lens is not required.

By adding one microlens plate, this 2
By providing the beam splitter between the two microlens plates, the observable field of view is enlarged, and the dichroic mirror for the epi-illumination fluorescence microscope can be used as it is, eliminating the need for a relay lens.

Further, by using a scanning plate in which the microlens plate and the pinhole plate are integrated, the position adjustment between the microlens plate and the pinhole plate becomes unnecessary.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a confocal optical scanner according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1a is a laser, 2a is a microlens plate, 3a is a beam splitter, 4a is a pinhole plate, 5a is an objective lens, 6a is a sample, 8a is a photographing device, and 9a is a motor.

Reference numerals 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a and 9a constitute a confocal optical scanner 51.

The output light of the laser 1a is applied to the beam splitter 3
a, and is reflected, and then enters the microlens plate 2a. Each microlens provided on the microlens plate 2a focuses the incident light on each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4a.

However, the pinhole plate 4a is not at the position of the focal length of the microlens on the microlens plate 2a shown in "a" in FIG. 1, but is slightly shifted in the optical axis direction in "b" in FIG.
It is provided at the position shown in FIG.

The light passing through each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4a is incident on the sample 6a via the objective lens 5a.

Return light such as reflected light from the sample 6a is again incident on the pinhole plate 4a via the objective lens 5a, and light passing through each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4a is
Further, the light passes through the microlens plate 2a and is incident on the beam splitter 3a. The beam splitter 3a transmits the returning light that has entered, and enters the imaging device 8a.

The microlens plate 2a and the pinhole plate 4a are fixed on the same shaft, and are synchronously rotated by a motor 9a mounted on this shaft.

Here, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The output light of the laser 1a passes through each microlens on the microlens plate 2a rotating in synchronization and each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4a, and the sample
a Scan the surface.

The return light from the sample 6a is focused on a pinhole on the pinhole plate 4a via the objective lens 5a, and the light passing through the pinhole is incident on the microlens on the microlens plate 2a.

At this time, as described above, the pinhole plate 4a is provided not at the position of the focal length "a" of the microlens but at the position "b" in FIG. 1 slightly shifted in the optical axis direction. The light transmitted through the microlens plate 2a does not become parallel light, but is imaged on the photographing device 8a by the microlens on the microlens plate 2a.

Therefore, the focal length "a" of the micro lens on the micro lens plate 2a is set to "f", and the pinhole plate 4a
The distance "b" from the microlens plate 2a of the camera is "a", and the distance "c" from the microlens plate 2a of the photographing device is "a".
In the case of b ″, the relationship is b = 1 / (1 / f−1 / a) (1).

As a result, it is necessary to provide the beam splitter 3a between the microlens plate 2a and the pinhole plate 4a by providing the pinhole plate 4a at a position slightly shifted in the optical axis direction from the focal length of the microlens. Since this disappears, the observable visual field can be enlarged.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the positional relationship between the laser 1a and the photographing device 8a is reversed as compared with the conventional example, so that the dichroic mirror for the epi-fluorescence microscope can be used as it is. In addition, since the relay lens 7 is not required, the cost is reduced.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the confocal optical scanner according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, 1b is a laser, 2b and 2c are microlens plates, 3b
Is a beam splitter, 4b is a pinhole plate, 5b is an objective lens, 6b is a sample, 8b is a photographing device, and 9b is a motor.

Further, 2b, 2c, 3b, 4b, 5b and 9b constitute a confocal optical scanner 52.

The output light of the laser 1b is applied to the beam splitter 3
b, is reflected, and is incident on the microlens plate 2b. Each microlens provided on the microlens plate 2b focuses the incident light on each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4b.

However, the pinhole plate 4b is provided at the position of the focal length of the microlens on the microlens plate 2b indicated by "a" in FIG.

The light passing through each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4b is incident on the sample 6b via the objective lens 5b.

The return light such as the reflected light from the sample 6b is again incident on the pinhole plate 4b via the objective lens 5b, and the light passing through each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4b is
Further, the light is transmitted through the microlens plate 2b and is incident on the beam splitter 3b. The beam splitter 3b transmits the returning light that has entered, and enters the imaging device 8b via the microlens plate 2c.

The microlens plates 2b and 2c and the pinhole plate 4b are fixed on the same shaft, and are synchronously rotated by a motor 9b mounted on the shaft.

Here, the operation of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The output light of the laser 1b is a beam splitter 3b
The sample 6b is scanned by passing through each microlens on the microlens plate 2b and each pinhole on the pinhole plate 4b, which are reflected by and rotate synchronously.

The return light from the sample 6b is focused on the pinhole on the pinhole plate 4b via the objective lens 5b, and the light passing through this pinhole is incident on the microlens on the microlens plate 2b.

At this time, as described above, since the pinhole plate 4b is provided at the position of the focal length "A" of the microlens, the light transmitted through the microlens plate 2b becomes parallel light.

The parallel light passes through the beam splitter 3b and is incident on the micro lens plate 2c. The micro lens on the micro lens plate 2c collects the incident light and forms an image on the photographing device 8b.

As a result, by providing the beam splitter 3b between the microlens plate 2b and the microlens plate 2c, the observable field of view is enlarged because the distance limitation shown in FIG. Becomes possible.

Further, as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the positional relationship between the laser 1b and the photographing device 8b is reversed as compared with the conventional example, so that the dichroic mirror for the epi-fluorescence microscope can be used as it is. In addition, since the relay lens 7 is not required, the cost is reduced.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the confocal optical scanner according to the present invention. Where 1
2, b, 2c, 3b, 5b, 6b, 8b and 9b are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG.

In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 10 denotes a scanning plate in which a microlens plate and a pinhole plate are integrated. 2c, 3b, 5b, 9b and 10 constitute a confocal optical scanner 52a.

The connection is almost the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 except for the micro lens plate 2b.
And that a scanning plate 10 is provided instead of the pinhole plate 4b.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged sectional view of the portion "a" of the scanning plate 10. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 3B, 11
Is a glass, 12 is a film, 13 is a microlens, and 14 is a pinhole.

A film 12 is formed on one side of the glass 11, and a micro lens 13 is formed on the other side. Further, a pinhole 14 having the same pattern as the microlens 13 is formed in the film 12.

The operation of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is basically the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG.
Beam splitter 3b between the lens and microlens plate 2c
Is provided, the focal length indicated by “b” in FIG. 3 is not restricted, and the observable field of view can be enlarged.

Also, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG.
The dichroic mirror for the epi-illumination fluorescence microscope can be used as it is, and the relay lens 7 becomes unnecessary, so that the cost is reduced.

Further, the micro lens plate 2 shown in FIG.
By using the scanning plate 10 in which b is integrated with the pinhole plate 4b, the position adjustment between the microlens plate 2b and the pinhole plate 4b becomes unnecessary.

Although the microlens plate 2a and the pinhole plate 4a are separately provided in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, they may be integrated as shown in FIG. However, in this case, the distance between the micro lens 13 and the pinhole 14 is as shown in "b" in FIG.
Must be shifted from the focal length of the camera.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pinhole plate 4a is provided at a position outside the focal point of the microlens. However, the pinhole plate 4a is provided at a position inside the focal point of the microlens. Is also good.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the incident light is reflected by the beam splitter 3a and the return light from the sample 6a is transmitted. However, the incident light is transmitted and the return light from the sample 6a is transmitted. May be fired.

The shape of the pinhole, which is an example of the opening, is not limited to a circle, but may be an ellipse, a slit, or the like.

[0060]

As is apparent from the above description,
According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the first aspect of the present invention, by providing the pinhole plate at a position slightly shifted in the optical axis direction from the focal length of the microlens, an inexpensive confocal optical scanner having a large observable field of view can be realized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by adding a microlens plate and providing a beam splitter between the two microlens plates, an inexpensive confocal optical scanner having a large observable field of view can be obtained. realizable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing a first embodiment of a confocal optical scanner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the confocal optical scanner according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram showing a third embodiment of the confocal optical scanner according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram showing a conventional confocal optical scanner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a, 1b Laser 2, 2a, 2b, 2c Micro lens plate 3, 3a, 3b Beam splitter 4, 4a, 4b Pinhole plate 5, 5a, 5b Objective lens 6, 6a, 6b Sample 7 Relay lens 8, 8a , 8b Imaging device 9, 9a, 9b Motor 10 Scanning plate 11 Glass 12 Film 13 Micro lens 14 Pinhole 50, 51, 52, 52a Confocal optical scanner

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 21/00 G02B 26/10 105

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A disk having a plurality of light-collecting means and a disk having a plurality of apertures having the same pattern as the light-collecting means are rotated in synchronization with each other, so that light passing through the light-collecting means and the light-opening is rotated. In a confocal optical scanner that condenses and scans a sample, a light branching unit that reflects or transmits incident light and transmits or reflects return light from the sample, and light reflected or transmitted by the light branching unit is incident. A disk having a focusing means to be transmitted, and a transmitted light from the disk having the focusing means is incident thereon, and is provided at a position shifted from the focal length of the focusing means toward the sample along the optical axis. A confocal optical scanner, comprising: 2. A disk having a plurality of light-collecting means and a disk having a plurality of apertures of the same pattern as the light-collecting means are rotated in synchronization with each other, and light passing through the light-collecting means and the light-opening is rotated. In a confocal optical scanner for condensing and scanning a sample, a light splitting means for reflecting incident light and transmitting return light from the sample, and a plurality of light collecting means for receiving reflected light from the light splitting means A first disk having: a first disk having light transmitted through the light splitting means ,
A second circular plate having a condensing means of the focusing means and the same pattern, the focusing means of the first disc the transmitted light is incident from the first disc with the focusing means And a disc having openings of the same pattern .