JP4532852B2 - Polarization microscope and polarization observation intermediate tube - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a polarization microscope capable of observing a polarization interference image obtained on a pupil plane of an objective lens (so-called conoscope observation) and an intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in this type of polarization observation intermediate lens barrel, light is once deflected in the orthogonal direction from the observation optical axis to form a circular optical path, and a belt run lens is arranged on the circular optical path so that the position of the belt run lens can be adjusted. In some cases, a conoscopic image of an observation sample is obtained.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-258514 has a main beam path in which an objective lens and a lens barrel of a microscope are arranged, and an auxiliary beam path that can be selectively interposed instead of a part of the main beam path. When the light from the lens is guided to the auxiliary beam path, the optical path is formed by a plurality of optical deflection elements, and a conoscope observation is shown by the belt run lens in the middle of the auxiliary beam path. Yes.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-70454 discloses that a belt run lens is disposed in the vicinity of a normal image position, and a bypass optical system constituted by a reflecting member is inserted into the optical path between the objective lens and the eyepiece lens. An observing apparatus that is detachably provided and enables orthoscopic image observation and conoscopic image observation is shown.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-257066 discloses a cube composed of an analyzer and a depolarizer for epi-illumination observation in a system microscope capable of combined observation by switching between transmission polarization observation or transmission differential interference observation and epi-illumination observation. A system microscope is shown that is mounted on the same carrier as the cube to be used and the observation method is switched.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the microscope optical apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-258514, in the longitudinal direction (the optical axis direction of the objective lens), light from the objective lens is guided to the auxiliary beam path and from the auxiliary beam path to the main beam path. Only space for an optical element for returning light is required. For this reason, although the apparatus can be configured compactly in the vertical direction, it cannot be configured compactly in the lateral direction because a circular optical path is formed to focus the belt run lens.
[0007]
In addition, this apparatus is usually designed as an additional unit that can be inserted as an intermediate barrel between the objective lens and the observation barrel (described in the upper right line, page 11). However, when the epi-illumination modules are stacked and used for observation by epi-illumination in addition to conoscopic observation, the distance between the objective lens and the observation tube is smaller than when the epi-illumination module is not used. The distance gets longer.
[0008]
Therefore, when it is assumed that the epi-illumination module and the like are stacked on this apparatus, there is a problem that the moving amount for focusing the belt run lens is further increased and the apparatus is enlarged. Further, the publication does not particularly describe the combined use with the epi-illumination module, and details in that case are unclear.
[0009]
In the conoscopic image observation optical system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-70454, a belt run lens is disposed in the vicinity of a normal image position, and a reflection member is provided between the objective lens and the eyepiece lens. The bypass optical system is provided so that it can be inserted into and removed from the optical path. Thus, since the exit pupil of the objective lens is projected onto the eyepiece by the belt run lens in the vicinity of the normal image position, the optical path length becomes considerably long. (Compare Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 of the same publication)
This lengthened optical path length can be shortened in the direction of the optical axis of the objective lens by inserting a bypass optical path constituted by a reflecting member into the optical path (see FIGS. 4 and 5). However, since a protruding portion by a bypass optical path is formed in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens, there is a problem that the lateral direction is not compact, as in JP-A-60-258514. Further, the combined use with the epi-illumination module is not described in the same publication and the details are unknown.
[0010]
In the system microscope described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-257066, a cube composed of an analyzer and a depolarizer is attached to the same carrier as the cube used for epi-illumination observation, and the observation method is switched. Therefore, it is possible to perform composite observation by quickly switching between transmission polarization observation or transmission differential interference observation and epi-illumination observation.
[0011]
However, this publication shows a system microscope that has an epi-illumination optical system built into the microscope body from the beginning, and is expensive, so it can be applied to educational or routine inspection microscopes in schools. It is hard to do. In addition, this publication describes that when conoscopic image observation is performed with transmitted polarized light, an intermediate lens barrel containing a belt-run lens is inserted into the observation optical path (see FIG. 8). There is no detailed description about the configuration, etc., and it is unknown.
[0012]
An object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing microscope and an intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation that can achieve both conoscopic observation by transmitted illumination and simple polarization observation by epi-illumination in an optical microscope for education and inspection. .
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the problems and achieve the object, the polarizing microscope and the polarizing observation intermediate lens barrel of the present invention are configured as follows.
[0014]
  (1) The polarizing microscope of the present inventionProvided in the microscope bodyAn objective lens;Removably attached to the top of the microscope bodyAn intermediate tube,Removably attached to the upper part of the intermediate lens barrel,An observation lens barrel that includes an imaging lens that forms an image of the observation sample together with the objective lens; and an observation unit that is attached to the observation lens tube and observes the image of the observation sample.The intermediate lens barrel is rotatable around an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis of the objective lens and has a turret having at least two stop positions; and the objective lens is disposed at a first stop position on the turret. A pupil projection lens for observing the exit pupil of the turret, a mounting portion on which a predetermined mirror unit can be mounted at a second stop position on the turret, and only the pupil projection lens disposed at the first stop position A movement adjustment unit that moves the projection lens in the optical axis direction of the objective lens, and an illumination projection unit mounting unit that mounts an illumination projection unit that introduces illumination light for observation by epi-illumination.
[0015]
  (2) The polarizing microscope of the present invention is the microscope described in (1) above, andLighting projection unit mounting partAn imaging unit including an imaging optical systemAlsoIt can be installed.
[0016]
  (3) The polarizing microscope of the present invention is the above (1).Or either (2)A microscope according to claim 1, andAn intermediate zoom lens that changes the magnification of the sample image formed by the objective lens and the imaging lens is attached to the mounting portion on the turret..
[0017]
  (4) The polarizing microscope of the present invention is the above (1).Or any of (3)A microscope according to claim 1,The objective lens is configured such that one objective lens is selectively inserted into an optical path by switching a plurality of objective lenses, and the movement adjusting unit is generated between the switchable objective lenses. Has the same adjustment range as the exit pupil position deviation.
[0018]
  (5) The polarized light observation intermediate lens barrel of the present invention is a polarized light observation intermediate lens barrel that is detachably attached to the upper part of the microscope body, and has an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis of the objective lens provided in the microscope body. A turret that is rotatable about the center and has at least two stop positions, and is disposed at a first stop position on the turret.The aboveA pupil projection lens for observing the exit pupil of the objective lens, and a mounting portion capable of mounting a predetermined mirror unit at a second stop position on the turret;Equipped with a movement adjustment unit that moves only the pupil projection lens arranged at the first stop position in the optical axis direction of the objective lens, and an illumination floodlight unit that introduces illumination light for observation by epi-illumination A lighting projection unit mounting portion to beHave
[0019]
As a result of taking the above-mentioned means, the following effects are obtained.
[0020]
  (1) According to the polarizing microscope of the present invention, at least conoscopic image observation by transmission polarization can be performed by inserting a pupil projection lens in the optical path, and observation by epi-illumination light or transmission can be performed by switching the turret. It is possible to perform orthoscope image observation by polarized light or normal observation (such as bright field) other than polarized light.Furthermore, in addition to conoscopic image observation, bright field observation with epi-illumination or simple polarization observation with epi-illumination can be easily and quickly switched. Since it is mounted on the side of the lens barrel, the distance from the exit pupil of the objective lens to the pupil projection lens (Bertrand lens) does not change depending on the presence or absence of the epi-illumination device, and the movement range of the Beltrun lens in the optical axis direction As a result, a very compact intermediate lens for polarization observation can be realized..
[0021]
(2) According to the polarizing microscope of the present invention, the illumination projection unit can be retrofitted to the intermediate lens tube according to the user's preference, and the user who does not need the epi-illumination can install the illumination projection unit. Since it can be used without being attached, a polarizing microscope can be provided at a low price. Moreover, since the projection tube for epi-illumination is not stacked as in the prior art, the amount of movement of the pupil projection lens can be reduced, and as a result, a polarization microscope having a compact intermediate lens barrel can be realized. .
[0022]
(3) According to the polarizing microscope of the present invention, when the epi-illumination is not required, the epi-illumination light mounted on the turret is introduced with a simple configuration by mounting the imaging unit on the attachment portion of the intermediate lens barrel. It becomes possible to guide the light from the objective lens to the imaging unit by the mirror unit for observation and observe the sample image with a TV camera or the like attached to the imaging unit.
[0023]
  (4) According to the polarizing microscope of the present invention, intermediate zooming can be easily performed without newly stacking intermediate zooming intermediate barrels, so that the amount of movement of the pupil projection lens can be reduced. It is possible to realize a polarizing microscope having a compact and inexpensive intermediate lens barrel.
  (5) According to the polarizing microscope of the present invention, the objective lens is configured such that one objective lens is selectively inserted into the optical path by switching a plurality of objective lenses, and the movement adjustment unit can be switched. It has the same adjustment range as the amount of positional deviation of the exit pupil that occurs between the objective lenses.
[0024]
  (6)According to the intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation of the present invention, the conoscopic image observation in at least the transmission polarization observation is possible and the turret is switched by being attached to the upper part of the microscope main body and inserting the pupil projection lens into the optical path. Thus, observation with epi-illumination light, orthoscope image observation with an imaging lens, or normal observation (such as bright field) other than polarized light can be performed.Furthermore, in addition to conoscopic image observation, bright field observation by epi-illumination or simple polarization observation by epi-illumination can be switched quickly and easily. Since the distance from the exit pupil of the objective lens to the pupil projection lens (belt run lens) does not change depending on the presence or absence of the epi-illumination device, the movement range of the belt run lens in the optical axis direction is reduced. As a result, an extremely compact intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation can be realized.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0026]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a polarization microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. First, the overall configuration of the polarizing microscope will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a microscope main body (hereinafter referred to as a mirror body), and a light source 102 is built in a base portion of the mirror body 101. The collector lens 103 condenses the light from the light source 102 and emits it vertically upward. An observation sample 104 is placed on the stage 105. The condenser lens 106 condenses the light emitted from the collector lens 103 on the observation sample 104.
[0028]
The stage receiver 107 supports the stage 105. The condenser receiver 108 supports the condenser lens 106 and can freely move up and down on the stage receiver 107 by operating the condenser up / down handle 109. The revolver 111 holds a plurality of objective lenses including the objective lens 110 and selectively positions one objective lens on the optical axis.
[0029]
The observation sample 104, the stage 105, the condenser lens 106, the condenser receiver 108, and the condenser up / down handle 109 can be moved up and down integrally by operating the focusing handle 112 provided on the mirror body 101 together with the stage receiver 107. It has become. By rotating the focusing handle 112, the focus of the observation sample 104 with respect to the objective lens 110 can be adjusted.
[0030]
The polarized observation intermediate barrel 113 is detachably attached to the upper part of the mirror body 101. The observation barrel 114 is detachably attached to the upper part of the polarization observation intermediate barrel 113. An imaging lens 115 for forming an image of the observation sample 104 together with the objective lens 110 inside the observation barrel 114, and a vertically upward imaging light beam from the imaging lens 115 are deflected in the direction of the binocular part 114a. A deflecting prism 116 and a split prism (not shown) for splitting the image forming light beam from the deflecting prism 116 into two are incorporated.
[0031]
An eyepiece 117 is attached to the tip of the binocular part 114a of the observation barrel 114. With the eyepiece 117, an image of the observation sample 104 formed by the objective lens 110 and the imaging lens 115 can be observed.
[0032]
The condenser lens 106 includes an aperture stop 106a. The aperture stop 106 a limits the emission angle (numerical aperture) of light that illuminates the observation sample 104 from the condenser lens 106. The polarizer 118 is rotatably held at the lower end of the condenser lens 106. The inspection plate slot 101a is provided above the mirror body 101 and immediately above the revolver 111, and a later-described inspection plate or the like can be inserted into the optical path.
[0033]
2A is a cross-sectional view of the polarization observation intermediate lens tube 113, and FIG. 2B is a plan view of the main part of the polarization observation intermediate lens tube 113 as viewed from below. Hereinafter, the polarization observation intermediate lens tube 113 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. A round dovetail portion 201 a is provided at the lower end of the intermediate lens barrel body 201. The intermediate barrel body 201 is connected to the mirror body 101 by fitting the round dovetail portion 201 a into a round dovetail groove provided in the mirror body 101. The rotating turret 202 is fixed to the intermediate lens barrel body 201 and is supported so as to be rotatable about a turret shaft 203 that is substantially parallel to the optical axis of the objective lens 110.
[0034]
An intermediate lens barrel cover 204 is fixed on the intermediate lens barrel body 201. The intermediate lens barrel cover 204 is provided with a round dovetail groove 204a. An observation barrel 114 is attached to the round dovetail groove 204a. On the upper surface of the rotating turret 202, click grooves 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d are provided at four locations on the circumference, respectively. A leaf spring 205 is fixed to the back surface of the intermediate barrel cover 204. A ball 206 is fixed to the tip of the leaf spring 205. When the ball 206 is fitted into any of the click grooves 202a to 202d by the action of the leaf spring 205, the rotating turret 202 stops at any one of the above four locations.
[0035]
A belt run lens (pupil projection lens) 207 is held at one of the four stop positions of the rotating turret 202. In FIG. 2A, the belt run lens 207 is positioned on the optical axis p of the objective lens 110 when the ball 206 is fitted into the click groove 202a on the upper surface of the rotating turret 202.
[0036]
A belt run lens 207 is bonded to the inside of the lens frame 208. A pin 209 is fixed to the outer periphery of the lens frame 208. The outer frame 210 is outside the lens frame 208 and is fixed to the rotating turret 202, and holds the lens frame 208 slidably in the optical axis p direction. The cam ring 211 is outside the outer frame 210 and is fitted and held so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer frame 210.
[0037]
The outer frame 210 is formed with a long hole 210a extending in the optical axis direction having a width dimension that allows the pin 209 to pass through. The cam ring 211 is formed with a cam groove 211a that guides the pin 209 without any play. The pin 209 is engaged with the cam groove 211a. When the cam ring 211 is rotated, the lens frame 208 to which the pin 209 is fixed and the belt run lens 207 bonded to the lens frame 208 are moved in the optical axis direction by the action of the cam groove 211a and the long hole 210a. .
[0038]
On the other hand, the focus ring 212 is rotatably supported with respect to the turret shaft 203 below the turret shaft 203. The interlocking pin 213 is fixed to the upper surface of the focus ring 212 and is engaged with an interlocking groove 211 b provided on the lower surface of the cam ring 211. Thereby, the cam ring 211 is rotated via the interlocking pin 213 by rotating the focus ring 212.
[0039]
With the above configuration, the rotation turret 202 is stopped at one of the four stop positions so that the belt run lens 207 is positioned on the observation optical axis p, and then the focus ring 212 is rotated. The belt run lens 207 can be moved and adjusted in the optical axis p direction.
[0040]
Note that, in the adjustment range of the belt run lens 207 in the optical axis direction, the same amount as the deviation of the position of the exit pupil that occurs between all objective lenses including the objective lens 110 is secured. If the position of the exit pupil of each objective lens used is designed to be relatively close, it is not necessary to increase the adjustment range of the belt run lens 207 in the optical axis direction. As a result, the dimension in the optical axis direction of the polarization observation intermediate lens tube 113 can be designed to be compact. This will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0041]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an optical system of the polarization microscope described above. 3, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0042]
When the Bertrand lens 207 is not inserted in the optical path (on the observation optical axis p), the light from one point of the observation sample 104 is condensed by the objective lens 110 to become a parallel light beam, and enters the imaging lens 115 as it is. Then, an image is formed and an image is formed at the focal plane I of the eyepiece 117 (shown by a solid line in the figure). On the other hand, when the belt run lens 207 is inserted in the optical path, the exit pupil plane F of the objective lens 110 is shown._BThe light from the upper point is converted into a parallel light flux by the belt run lens 207 and then imaged by the imaging lens 115 on the focal plane I of the eyepiece lens 117 (broken line in the figure).
[0043]
In FIG. 3, the exit pupil plane F_BAlthough one point at the center of the upper optical axis is illustrated, this one point is a focal position by the objective lens 110 of a parallel light beam emitted parallel to the optical axis from a certain region of the observation sample 104. Actually, parallel light beams in all directions that have passed through the observation sample 104 are exit pupil plane F of the objective lens 110._BConoscopic observation is performed by focusing on the above and forming an image on the focal plane I of the eyepiece lens 117 by the belt run lens 207 and the imaging lens 115 for observation.
[0044]
In this case, the exit pupil plane F of the objective lens 110_BThe light from the upper point becomes a parallel light flux by the belt run lens 207. The exit pupil plane F of the objective lens 110 as shown in FIG._BAnd the exit pupil plane F of another objective lens_BIf the position of 'is different, F_BPosition and F_BA displacement L occurs between the positions of '. In this case, the belt run lens 207 is displaced by the same amount L as the displacement L on the optical axis p.Upward in the figureMove to. Accordingly, even when another objective lens is used instead of the objective lens 110, the exit pupil of the other objective lens can be observed.
[0045]
Conventionally, when epi-illumination is performed, an epi-illumination projection tube is inserted under the polarization observation intermediate column, and the epi-illumination projection tube and the polarization observation intermediate column are stacked. For this reason, the distance from the objective lens 110 to the belt run lens 207 changes by the thickness of the incident light projection tube. Therefore, the exit pupil of the objective lens 110 cannot be observed unless the movement range L of the belt run lens 207 is increased. That is, conoscopic observation was not possible. However, if the epi-illumination tube is not stacked as in the present invention, the movement range L of the belt run lens 207 only needs to be secured by the deviation of the exit pupil position of the objective lens to be used.
[0046]
Again, a description will be given based on (a) and (b) of FIG. Two of the four stop positions of the rotating turret 202 have mirror units 2021 and 2021 ′ (FIGS. 2A and 2B) incorporating optical elements for introducing epi-illumination light into the objective lens 110. Mounting portions (mounting dovetail portions) 2023 and 2023 ′ that can be respectively mounted (shown by a middle two-dot chain line) are provided, and the remaining one portion is a hole 2022 that allows light from the objective lens 110 to pass through as it is. Yes.
[0047]
A first analyzer insertion slot 201b is provided immediately above the round dovetail portion 201a of the intermediate lens barrel body 201. An analyzer unit 120 or the like can be attached to the first analyzer insertion slot 201b. The analyzer unit 120 is equipped with an analyzer 119 for performing polarization observation using transmitted illumination. A second analyzer insertion slot 201 c is provided on the upper part of the intermediate lens barrel body 201. In the second analyzer insertion slot 201c, an analyzer unit or the like for performing polarization observation by epi-illumination can be mounted.
[0048]
Further, a mounting portion 201d by a round dovetail mechanism is provided on the side surface (right side in FIGS. 2A and 2B) of the intermediate barrel main body 201. FIG. An illumination floodlight unit that introduces illumination light for performing epi-illumination can be attached to the attachment portion 201d. An opening 201e and a removable cover 214 are provided on the bottom surface of the intermediate lens barrel body 201 (lower left in FIG. 2A) so that the mirror unit 2021 can be removed.
[0049]
Next, a method for performing transmission polarization observation in the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described.
[0050]
First, the hole 2022 of the rotating turret 202 of the polarization observation intermediate lens tube 113 is positioned on the optical axis p of the objective lens 110. That is, the belt run lens 207 is not positioned on the optical axis of the objective lens 110. Next, as in an ordinary observation method such as bright field observation, the focusing handle 112 is rotated to roughly focus the observation sample 104 with respect to the objective lens 110. Further, the condenser up / down handle 109 is rotated to optimally adjust the position of the condenser lens 106.
[0051]
Next, the focus of the observation sample 104 is accurately adjusted, and the analyzer unit 120 is inserted into the analyzer insertion slot 201b of the polarization observation intermediate lens tube 113 so that the vibration direction of the analyzer 119 and the vibration direction of the polarizer 118 are orthogonal to each other. In this state, if the aperture stop 106a built in the condenser lens 106 is stopped, orthoscopic observation of the observation sample 104 becomes possible.
[0052]
When switching from this state (orthoscope observation) to conoscopic observation, first, the aperture stop 106a built in the condenser lens 106 is largely opened. Next, the rotating turret 202 is rotated and stopped so that the belt run lens 207 mounted on the rotating turret 202 of the polarization observation intermediate lens tube 113 is positioned on the optical axis of the objective lens 110. Then, the focus ring 212 is rotated, and the exit pupil 110a (F) of the objective lens 110 is moved by the eyepiece 117._B) Adjust the belt run lens 107 in the vertical direction.
[0053]
Further, by inserting a test plate (not shown) such as a sensitive color into the test plate slot 101a of the mirror body 101, the interference color changes depending on the crystal characteristics of the observation sample 104. Sex can be judged.
[0054]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration in which an illumination projection unit capable of observation by epi-illumination and a mirror unit for introducing epi-illumination light are mounted on the polarization microscope shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those in FIG.
[0055]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 251 denotes a lamp house for epi-illumination, and a light source 252 is built in the lamp house 251. The collector lens 253 is built in the lamp house 251 and condenses light from the light source 252. The illumination light projecting unit main body 254 has a lamp house 251 connected to one end thereof, and the other end attached to a mounting portion 201d provided on the intermediate barrel main body 201 of the polarization observation intermediate barrel 113.
[0056]
The projection lens 255 is incorporated in the illumination light projecting unit main body 254 and is used to guide the illumination light collected by the collector lens 253 to the objective lens 110 more appropriately. The illumination light projecting unit 254 is provided with filter insertion slots 254a and 254b and a polarizer insertion slot 254c. A polarizer 256 for epi-illumination is inserted into the polarizer insertion slot 254c.
[0057]
The analyzer 257 is inserted into a second analyzer insertion slot 201c provided in the polarization observation intermediate lens tube 113. The bright-field illumination mirror unit 258 is fixed to an attachment portion (attachment dovetail portion) 2023 provided at one of the four stop positions of the rotating turret 202, and the incident illumination light emitted from the projection lens 255 is used as an objective. Deflection in the direction of the lens 110.
[0058]
In the configuration as described above, if the rotating turret 202 is rotated and stopped in a state where the bright field mirror unit 258 is positioned on the optical axis p of the objective lens 110, the epi-illumination light from the light source 252 is projected to the projection lens. It is guided to the objective lens 110 by the bright field mirror unit 258 via 255. Thereby, bright field observation or simple polarized light observation by epi-illumination becomes possible. If the polarizer 256 and the analyzer 257 are inserted into each optical path, simple polarized light observation is possible, and if these are pulled out from each optical path, bright field observation is possible.
[0059]
Further, if the rotating turret 202 is rotated and stopped in a state where the belt run lens 207 is positioned on the optical axis p of the objective lens 110, conoscopic image observation of transmitted polarized light becomes possible. In this case, the analyzer 257 can be used for both simple polarized light observation and transmitted polarized light observation by epi-illumination, so that it is not necessary to be inserted / removed when the rotating turret 202 is switched, and may be inserted in the optical path. Further, if the rotating turret 202 is rotated and stopped in a state where the empty hole 2022 into which nothing is inserted is positioned on the optical axis p, it is possible to observe an orthoscopic image of transmitted polarized light.
[0060]
As described above, in the polarization microscope shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the transmission polarized orthoscope image observation and the conoscope image observation, in addition to the polarization polarization observation shown in FIG. Simple polarization observation can be switched easily and quickly. In addition, when performing epi-illumination, the illumination projection unit 254 is mounted on the side surface of the polarization observation intermediate tube 113 instead of stacking the epi-illumination projection tube on the polarization observation intermediate tube 113. Therefore, the distance from the exit pupil of the objective lens 110 to the belt run lens 207 does not change depending on the presence or absence of the epi-illumination device. For this reason, the movement range of the belt run lens 207 in the optical axis direction can be reduced, and as a result, there is an advantage that a very compact intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation can be realized.
[0061]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a polarization microscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0062]
In the second embodiment, the basic configuration is substantially the same as in the first embodiment, and there is a difference in the configuration of the polarization observation intermediate lens barrel. The intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation 300 in the second embodiment is different from the intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation 113 in the first embodiment only in the intermediate lens barrel body and the intermediate lens barrel cover. The configuration of the built-in rotating turret is the same.
[0063]
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 301 denotes an intermediate lens barrel body, and a round ant 301 a at the lower end of the intermediate lens barrel body 301 is connected to the lens body 101. The analyzer slot 301b is used when transmitting polarized light is observed. An illumination light projecting unit main body 254 for performing epi-illumination can be attached to the attachment portion 301d by the round dovetail mechanism. An opening 301e is provided on the bottom surface of the intermediate barrel main body 301 so that the mirror unit can be removed. In the intermediate lens barrel body 301 of FIG. 5, there is no second analyzer insertion slot 201c used for simple polarized light observation by epi-illumination shown in FIG. 4, and the vertical dimension is reduced accordingly.
[0064]
An intermediate lens barrel cover 304 is fixed on the intermediate lens barrel body 301. The intermediate lens barrel cover 304 corresponds to the intermediate lens barrel body 301. The intermediate lens barrel cover 304 is only slightly different in shape from the intermediate lens barrel cover 204 in the first embodiment, so that the leaf spring 205 is fixed to the back surface and the observation lens barrel 114 is attached. The basic configuration is the same, such as having a round ant portion 304a.
[0065]
In addition, although the same illumination projection unit main body 254 as that of the first embodiment is connected to the attachment portion 301d of the intermediate lens barrel main body 301, in the case of the second embodiment, the illumination projection unit. A polarizer is not inserted into a polarizer insertion slot 254c provided in the main body 254.
[0066]
In the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, orthoscopic image observation and conoscopic image observation using transmitted polarized light can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. . In order to perform simple polarized light observation by epi-illumination, in the second embodiment, an epi-polarization mirror unit 360 including a polarizer 361 and an analyzer 362 is mounted on the rotating turret 302 in addition to the bright-field mirror unit 258. I tried to do it.
[0067]
Therefore, by attaching the belt run lens 207, the bright field illumination mirror unit 258, and the incident-light polarization mirror unit 360 to the four stop positions of the rotary turret 302, an orthoscope based on transmitted polarized light can be obtained by switching the rotary turret 302. It is possible to easily switch between four observation methods: image observation, conoscopic image observation with transmitted polarized light, bright field observation with epi-illumination, and simple polarization observation with epi-illumination. In particular, the second embodiment has an advantage that the dimension in the optical axis direction of the polarized observation intermediate lens barrel can be reduced by omitting the analyzer insertion slot for incident observation.
[0068]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a polarization microscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0069]
In the third embodiment, the basic configuration is substantially the same as those of the first and second embodiments, and the configuration of the polarization observation intermediate lens barrel 300 is the same as that of the second embodiment.
[0070]
In FIG. 6, a TV straight tube (imaging unit) 402 is attached to the attachment portion 301 d of the intermediate barrel main body 301 by the round dovetail mechanism instead of the illumination light projecting unit. The TV straight tube 402 has a built-in imaging lens 401. A camera 404 is attached to the front end of the TV straight tube 402 via a TV adapter 403.
[0071]
Also, a trinocular tube 405 is attached to the round dovetail portion 304 a of the intermediate lens tube cover 304 instead of the observation lens tube 114. As with the observation barrel 114, the trinocular tube 405 includes an imaging lens 115 and a deflection prism 116, and a TV port prism 406 is joined above the deflection prism 116. A camera 408 is attached to the TV port unit 405 a above the trinocular tube 405 via a second TV adapter 407.
[0072]
The bright field mirror unit 258 same as that of the first embodiment is mounted at one of the four stop positions of the rotating turret 302. When the bright field mirror unit 258 is positioned on the optical axis p, the image of the observation sample 104 can be picked up by the two cameras 404 and 408. As the two cameras 404 and 408, for example, a combination of a normal TV camera and a digital camera can be considered. Further, instead of the bright field mirror unit 258, a modification using a total reflection mirror unit, a wavelength selective mirror unit, or the like is also conceivable.
[0073]
In the third embodiment configured as described above, an imaging unit is attached to the polarization observation intermediate barrel instead of the illumination projection unit for epi-illumination. As a result, it is possible to take an image with a TV camera or the like without stacking and attaching a new intermediate lens barrel, and it is possible to construct a compact polarization observation intermediate lens tube with a small amount of movement of the belt run lens. This has the advantage of being able to handle applications that require two different types of cameras.
[0074]
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a polarization microscope according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 7, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0075]
In the fourth embodiment, the basic configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the configuration of the polarization observation intermediate lens barrel 300 is the same as that of the second and third embodiments.
[0076]
In FIG. 7, an intermediate zoom lens unit 451 is attached to one attachment portion 2023 among the four stop positions of the rotating turret 302. The intermediate zoom lens unit 451 changes the diameter of the sample image formed by the objective lens 110 and the imaging lens 115 by changing the diameter of the light beam emitted from the objective lens 110. Therefore, in the orthoscope image observation using transmitted polarized light and the bright field observation using epi-illumination, the magnification of the sample image can be enlarged or reduced according to the magnification of the objective lens.
[0077]
In the fourth embodiment, the belt run lens 207 is mounted at one of the four stop positions of the rotating turret 302, and the intermediate zoom lens unit 451 is mounted at the other position. In addition to this, it is of course possible to attach another intermediate variable magnification lens unit or epi-illumination mirror unit with different magnifications at another location.
[0078]
In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the intermediate zoom lens unit is mounted on the rotating turret of the polarization observation intermediate lens barrel. As a result, intermediate zooming of sample images can be achieved without stacking and mounting intermediate zoom lenses for intermediate zooming, and a compact intermediate lens for polarization observation with little movement of the belt run lens can be constructed. Has the advantage of being.
[0079]
In addition, this invention is not limited only to said each embodiment, In the range which does not change a summary, it can deform | transform suitably and can implement. For example, the polarization observation intermediate lens tube may be switched by the slide method instead of switching the observation by the turret method.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, there is provided a compact and inexpensive polarization microscope and an intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation that can achieve both conoscopic observation by transmitted illumination and simple polarization observation by epi-illumination in an optical microscope for education and inspection. it can.
[0081]
That is, according to the present invention, when performing observation with epi-illumination light, imaging with an imaging unit, intermediate zooming, and the like, instead of adding and stacking a new intermediate barrel, each function is added to the intermediate barrel. I made it. As a result, the amount of movement for focusing the pupil projection lens only needs to be an amount corresponding to the deviation of the exit pupil position for each objective lens, so the range of movement of the pupil projection lens can be reduced and compact. And an inexpensive polarizing microscope and an intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation can be realized. As a result, it can be sufficiently applied to an inexpensive polarizing microscope for education and inspection.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a polarization microscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view of an intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a plan view of the main part of the intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation as viewed from below.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an optical system of a polarization microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a polarization microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a polarization microscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a polarization microscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a polarization microscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Microscope main body (mirror body) 101a ... Test-plate slot 102 ... Light source 103 ... Collector lens 104 ... Observation sample 105 ... Stage 106 ... Condenser lens 106a ... Aperture stop 107 ... Stage receptacle 108 ... Condenser receptacle 109 ... Condenser upper / lower handle 110 ... Objective lens 110a ... Ejection pupil 111 ... Revolver 112 ... Focusing handle 113 ... Polarization observation intermediate barrel 114 ... Observation barrel 114a ... Binocular part 115 ... Image forming lens 116 ... Deflection prism 117 ... Ocular lens 118 ... Polarizer 119 ... Analyzer 201 ... Intermediate lens barrel body 201a ... Round dovetail portion 201b ... First analyzer insertion slot 201c ... Second analyzer insertion slot 201d ... Mounting portion 201e ... Opening portion 202 ... Rotating tab -Let 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d ... click groove 203 ... turret shaft 204 ... intermediate lens barrel cover 204a ... round dovetail groove 205 ... leaf spring 206 ... ball 207 ... belt run lens 208 ... lens frame 209 ... pin 210 ... outer frame 210a ... Long hole 211 ... Cam ring 211a ... Cam groove 212 ... Focus ring 213 ... Interlocking pin 214 ... Cover 2021, 2021 '... Mirror unit 2022 ... Hole 2023, 2023' ... Mounting portion 251 ... Lamp house 252 ... Light source 253 ... Collector lens 254 ... Light projection unit body 254a, 254b ... Filter insertion slot 254c ... Polarizer insertion slot 255 ... Light source 256 ... Polarizer 257 ... Analyzer 258 ... Bright field illumination mirror 300 ... Intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation 301 ... Intermediate lens barrel body 301a ... Round ant 301b ... Analyzer slot 301d ... Mounting portion 301e ... Opening 302 ... Rotating turret 304 ... Intermediate lens barrel cover 304a ... Round ant groove 360 ... Epi-illumination Polarizing mirror unit 361 ... Polarizer 362 ... Analyzer 401 ... Imaging lens 402 ... TV straight tube 403 ... TV adapter 404 ... Camera 405 ... Trinocular tube 405a ... TV port section 406 ... TV port prism 407 ... Second TV adapter 408 …camera

Claims (5)

An objective lens provided in the microscope body ;
An intermediate lens barrel detachably attached to the top of the microscope body ;
An observation lens barrel that is detachably attached to the upper part of the intermediate lens tube and has an imaging lens that forms an image of an observation sample together with the objective lens;
An observation unit mounted on the observation barrel for observing an image of the observation sample;
Equipped with,
The intermediate barrel is rotatable around an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis of the objective lens and has a turret having at least two stop positions, and is disposed at a first stop position on the turret. Only a pupil projection lens for observing the exit pupil, a mounting portion on which a predetermined mirror unit can be mounted at a second stop position on the turret, and only the pupil projection lens arranged at the first stop position A movement adjusting unit for moving the objective lens in the optical axis direction, and an illumination light projecting unit mounting unit for mounting an illumination light projecting unit for introducing illumination light for observation by epi-illumination.
A polarizing microscope characterized by that.   The polarizing microscope according to claim 1, wherein the illumination projecting unit mounting portion can also be mounted with an imaging unit including an imaging optical system.   3. The intermediate zoom lens for changing a magnification of a sample image formed by the objective lens and the imaging lens is attached to the attachment portion on the turret. Polarization microscope. The objective lens is configured such that one objective lens is selectively inserted into the optical path by switching a plurality of objective lenses,
The movement adjustment unit has the same adjustment range as the positional deviation amount of the exit pupil generated between the switchable objective lenses,
The polarizing microscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein This is an intermediate lens for polarization observation that is detachably attached to the top of the microscope body.
A turret that is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis of the objective lens included in the microscope body, and has at least two stop positions;
A pupil projection lens disposed at a first stop position on the turret and for observing an exit pupil of the objective lens;
A mounting portion capable of mounting a predetermined mirror unit at a second stop position on the turret;
A movement adjusting unit that moves only the pupil projection lens disposed at the first stop position in the optical axis direction of the objective lens;
An illumination projection unit mounting portion for mounting an illumination projection unit that introduces illumination light for performing observation by epi-illumination, and
An intermediate lens barrel for polarization observation characterized by comprising:

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