DE202010016954U1 - Vibration damping for microscope stages - Google Patents

Abstract

Microscope with a height adjustable in or on a tripod stage (T), which is vertically movable on one side, preferably on the stand (S), mounted, characterized in that the sample table (T) on at least one of the non-vertically movably mounted sides a connection having a fixed relative to the vertical movement attachment and the connection via a vibration damping element (D) leads

Description

As is known, depending on the design some microscope stands and their sample tables are susceptible to disturbing vibrations that affect the image quality.

Due to the construction with a movable (Z-focusing serving) sample table, it is not possible to fix the table on both sides in such a way that the vibrations are prevented.

Microscope tables in which the vertically movable sample table is articulated only on one side, act like an end of a tuning fork and are therefore particularly susceptible to vibration.

These oscillations are already noticeable in the case of single-frame imaging in the case of wide-area microscopes, but even more so in laser scanning microscopes (LSM) where the sample is scanned and x / y / z image stacks are formed which slip undefined when the sample is exposed to vibrations ,

Due to the broad spectrum of the oscillations of the sources of interference (eg speech, vibrations of fan units and the like) and the high bandwidth of the LSM detection (interference frequencies between 0.1 Hz and 2 MHz are visible in the picture), it is only possible to a certain extent the natural frequencies of the LSM Place a table in a favorable area.

It has therefore been found that these vibrations are too great for applications of an LSM in material microscopy, or require complex vibration isolation.

What is needed is a way to prevent or minimize the vibrations of the sample table relative to the lens, but without having to fix the table.

It has long been known to provide vibration-damping devices on microscopes (eg Handbook of Microscopy, Verlag Technik Berlin 1977, page 112 )

As in EP 1186931 B1 currently described elaborate attempts to overcome the problem, including special self-constructions.

However, for the design of the in EP 1186931 B1 described an extensive series of experiments at different frequencies have been required.

An additional disadvantage is the additional weight of the damping element.

When the damping element is mounted on the side of the table opposite the spindle, additional forces act on the spindle.

The entire table mechanism is loaded unevenly.

The problem is therefore to proceed in the simplest possible way but still highly effective against a variety of spurious oscillations.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the characterizing features of the first patent claim.

Preferred developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

By the advantageous use of a vibration damping means such as an oil damper at one end of the sample table, d. H. on the free side of the sample table, the vibrations can be damped and thus minimized, without excluding the principal possibility of displacement of the table in the z-direction (focus direction). Such a structure is outlined in FIG.

1 shows a schematic conventional microscope, consisting of a base body with tripod S and, schematically indicated, a light source B for illumination from below at a microscope objective O, a vertically adjustable stage T, which is for example displaced on a support S in the stand, dashed spindle assembly SP , For example, by means of a knob KN by hand but also without restriction motor, connected to a control panel, not shown.

As usual, the sample table T has a light passage opening drawn by dashed lines on which the sample is viewed or detected in transmission when illuminated from below.

Furthermore, it usually consists, but not necessarily of a lower table unit on a horizontally movable table part xy is attached. This, too, has a light passage opening (not shown) in the illustrated embodiment.

Illumination via the objective to the specimen and observation in incident light is known in the art and is the subject of the disclosure.

Preferably, at the side facing away from the spindle drive SP with respect to the sample side, preferably at the end of the table, a vibration damping means D is provided below the table, preferably via a joint rod GS is preferably anchored fixed on the underside of the stand S and in which the articulated rod GS engages which is connected at its other side to the table T, preferably the lower table part.

In the damping means is preferably provided a gas damping, a liquid, in particular oil damping or a combined gas / liquid damping wherein, for example, a vertically movable piston D in D is attached as shown on the articulated rod which is damped by the gas or liquid in D in its movement ,

As a highly viscous medium also known in commercially available damping systems ferrofluid could be used with the advantage that the visco-elastic properties and thus the damping behavior can be greatly varied by an externally applied magnetic field.

The damper should be advantageously mounted so that it does not protrude above the level of the sample table.

Examples of damping means are inter alia in DE 2430471 A1 . DE 10220517A1 (Combination liquid / gas), JP2001310229A . JP55105942 A . GB 1476935A . DE-A-2163798 . DE-A-2933726 . DE-A-2517666 . JP-A-1102858 described and subject of the present disclosure.

The commercially available vibration dampers are usually filled with a viscous fluid in which a stamp or the like can move. Due to the viscosity slow movements of the punch can be performed with little effort, while fast movements require a lot of effort. Accordingly, the sample table can advantageously be easily moved for (slow) z-focusing. However, the fast oscillations, unlike the slow focus, are effectively damped. This means an effective additional vibration damping by damping, preferably at the free end of the sample table, without having to firmly fix the table in its z-position.

According to the invention, therefore, a damping is realized, the slow movements opposes no (or only low) resistance, fast movements, however, a high resistance. At the same time a force is exerted on the sample table in no position at rest.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1186931 B1 [0009, 0010]
• DE 2430471 A1 [0026]
• DE 10220517 A1 [0026]
• JP 2001310229A [0026]
• JP 55105942 A [0026]
• GB 1476935A [0026]
• DE 2163798A [0026]
• DE 2933726 A [0026]
• DE 2517666 A [0026]
• JP 1102858A [0026]

Cited non-patent literature

• Handbook of Microscopy, Verlag Technik Berlin 1977, page 112 [0008]

Claims (9)

Microscope with a height adjustable in or on a tripod stage (T), which is vertically movable on one side, preferably on the stand (S), mounted, characterized in that the sample table (T) on at least one of the non-vertically movably mounted sides a connection having a fixed relative to the vertical movement attachment and the connection via a vibration damping element (D) leads Microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping element (D) is arranged stationary and has a movable part which is connected to the sample table. Microscope according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the damping element (D) at least partially has a liquid and / or gas filling. Microscope according to claim 3, characterized in that the liquid filling is oil. Microscope according to one of claims 1, characterized in that the damping element (D) has a filling with ferrofluid as a damping means to which an external magnetic field for varying the damping properties can be applied. Microscope according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the connection via the damping element at the bottom of the sample table (T) is mounted. Microscope according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the connection via the damping element is located on the opposite side of the table to the vertically movable attachment point of the table. Microscope according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the fixed attachment to a lower side of the stand (S) is mounted. Microscope according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the sample table (T) consists of a table support and a horizontal support on the table support table part (XV) with sample holder.

Images