JP2009048046A - Observation method changeover device for microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the troublesomeness of an observer when an observation method is changed over. <P>SOLUTION: An observation method changeover device for a microscope has: a specular block 2 which has a bright-field observation mirror G1 and a darkfield observation mirror G2 which are arranged on the observation optical path L of the microscope and is guided by a first guide member 1, to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the optical path L; and a filter block 5 which has polarizers G3 and G4 which are arranged on the optical path L, an ND filter and a UV cut filter and is guided by a second guide member 6, to be movable in the moving direction of the specular block 2. For instance, when the observation method is changed over from polarization observation to darkfield observation, the specular block 2 is moved to the right and the filter block 5 is moved to the right together with the specular block 2 by a contact plate 8, to arrange the darkfield observation mirror G2 on the optical path L. Accordingly, the darkfield observation can be performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope observation method switching device.

  Examples of microscopes that switch the observation method by controlling the movement of the optical member include those disclosed in the following patent documents.

In this observation method switching device, a filter having a polarizing plate (a polarizer, an analyzer) is slidably provided on a cube having an optical system for clear vision observation and night vision observation, and a neutral density filter is provided to be swingable. It has a structure. These cubes, the polarizing plate filter, and the neutral density filter are switched by appropriately moving their positions according to the switching of the observation method.
JP 2002-31334 A

  However, this observation method switching device has a structure in which a polarizing plate filter and a neutral density filter are separately attached to the bright / night vision cube, and switches according to the switching of the observation method. ing. Specifically, a swing mechanism and a positioning pin are required.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is to simplify a switching mechanism for switching observation methods.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 has a bright field observation mirror and a dark field observation mirror selectively disposed on the observation optical path of the microscope, and is guided by the first guide member. A first block movable in a direction orthogonal to the optical path, a polarizer selectively disposed on the optical path, and at least one of an ND filter and a UV cut filter, and a second block A second block that is guided by the guide member and is movable in the moving direction of the first block, and a force in a predetermined direction that acts on one of the first and second blocks is applied to the other block. And a power transmission member for transmitting and moving the first and second blocks on the optical path in conjunction with each other.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the microscope observation method switching device according to the first aspect, the ND filter and the UV cut filter are joined.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the microscope observation method switching device according to the first aspect, a UV-cut filter for high-intensity illumination observation is joined to the polarizer.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the microscope observation method switching device according to the first or second aspect, the first block is rotatably supported by the first block, and the relative movement of the second block with respect to the first block And an optical element that is selectively disposed on the optical path in synchronization with the optical path.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the microscope observation method switching device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the first guide member and the second guide member are arranged close to each other. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, the switching mechanism for switching the observation method can be simplified.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 are perspective views of an observation method switching device for a microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section along the optical path of FIG. FIG. 1 shows the positional relationship between the spectroscopic block 2 and the filter block 5 during polarization observation, FIG. 2 shows the positional relationship between the spectroscopic block 2 and the filter block 5 during dark field observation, and FIG. 3 shows the bright field. The positional relationship between the speculum block 2 and the filter block 5 at the time of observation is shown.

  The microscope observation method switching device includes a speculum block (first block) 2, a first guide member 1, a filter block (second block) 5, a second guide member 6, and a contact plate (power transmission member). ) 8.

  The speculum block 2 is guided by the first guide member 1 and is movable in a direction orthogonal to the optical path L. The speculum block 2 is a housing whose upper surface is open.

  Two holes 2a and 2b are formed in the front surface of the speculum block 2 along the moving direction of the speculum block 2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

  Further, two holes are formed in the longitudinal direction along the moving direction of the speculum block 2 on the bottom surface of the speculum block 2. FIG. 4 shows only one of the two holes 2c corresponding to the hole 2b. Of the two holes, the other hole corresponding to the hole 2a is not shown.

  A bright field observation mirror (for example, a half mirror or a dichroic mirror) G1 inclined at 45 ° with respect to the central axis of the hole 2c formed on the bottom surface of the speculum block 2 and a hole (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the speculum block 2 A dark field observation mirror (for example, an annular reflector) G2 inclined at 45 ° with respect to the central axis is supported in the spectroscopic block 2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). One of the bright field observation mirror G1 and the dark field observation mirror G2 is disposed on the optical path L.

  On the rear surface of the speculum block 2, a convex portion 2 e is formed that is slidably fitted to the concave portion 1 a of the first guide member 1 extending in a direction orthogonal to the optical path L via a plurality of balls 10. The ball 10 is rotatably accommodated in grooves 11 and 12 having a rectangular cross section formed in the concave portion 1a and the convex portion 2e, respectively (see FIG. 4). Wires 13 are arranged at the corners of the grooves 11 and 12 so that the ball 10 is in point contact. As a result, the speculum block 2 moves smoothly along the first guide member 1 by the rolling motion of the ball 10.

  A contact plate 8 that restricts the movement of the filter block 5 is provided on one side surface of the speculum block 2. The contact plate 8 may be integrally formed with the spectroscopic block 2.

  The filter block 5 is guided by the second guide member 6 and is movable in the moving direction of the speculum block 2. The cross-sectional shape of the filter block 5 is L-shaped. Two holes 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are formed in the upper surface 5A and the front surface 5B of the filter block 5 along the moving direction of the spectroscopic block 2, respectively. A polarizer G4 is mounted in the hole 5b (nothing is mounted in the hole 5a). A filter G5 is attached to the hole 5c. The filter G5 is formed by overlapping an ND filter and a UV cut filter. Note that either one of the ND filter and the UV cut filter may be attached to the hole 5c. A polarizer G3 is mounted in the hole 5d. In this embodiment, the filter block 5 is integrally formed. However, the upper surface 5A and the front surface 5B may be formed separately, and both may be bonded with an adhesive or the like.

  Further, on the upper surface 5A of the filter block 5 and on the rear side of the hole 5a, the second guide member 6 extending in the moving direction of the speculum block 2 can be slid through a plurality of balls 10 in a recess 6a. A convex portion 5c to be fitted is formed. The ball 10 is rotatably accommodated in grooves 16 and 17 having a rectangular cross section formed in the recess 6a and the protrusion 5c, respectively (see FIG. 4). Wires 13 are arranged at the corners of the holes 16 and 17 so that the ball 10 makes point contact. As a result, the filter block 5 moves smoothly along the second guide member 6 by the rolling motion of the ball 10.

  Note that the first guide member 1 and the second guide member 6 are arranged close to each other.

  Next, an operation method of the microscope observation method switching device will be described.

  When performing bright field observation, as shown in FIG. 3, a filter G5 and a bright field observation mirror G1 are disposed on the optical path L, and the polarizers G3 and G4 are out of the optical path L.

  Illumination light emitted from an illumination light source (not shown) passes through a filter G5, is reflected downward by a bright field observation mirror G1, passes through an objective lens (not shown), and illuminates a sample (not shown) placed at the focal point. Is done. The light from the sample travels backward in the optical path L, passes through the bright field observation mirror G1, and is guided to an eyepiece (not shown). Thus, when the filter G5 and the bright field observation mirror G1 are inserted in the optical path, bright field observation can be performed. Even when an ultra-high pressure mercury light source is used as an illumination light source for the case where high-intensity illumination is required, a filter G5 formed by superimposing an ND filter and a UV cut filter is inserted on the optical path L. Can prevent the sample from being irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

  When switching the observation method from bright field observation to dark field observation, the spectroscopic block 2 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 3 to the right until the contact plate 8 contacts the filter block 5 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the filter G5 and the dark field observation mirror G2 are disposed on the optical path L. At this time, since the filter block 5 does not move, the polarizers G3 and G4 remain off the optical path L.

  The illumination light emitted from the illumination light source passes through the filter G5, is reflected downward by the dark field observation mirror G2, and passes through the objective lens, and only the oblique light is applied to the sample placed at the focal point of the objective lens. . The light from the sample travels backward in the optical path L, passes through the bright field observation mirror G2, and is guided to the eyepiece. Thus, when the filter G5 and the dark field observation mirror G2 are inserted on the optical path L, dark field observation can be performed. Even if an ultra-high pressure mercury light source is used as an illumination light source for high-intensity illumination, a filter G5 formed by overlaying an ND filter and a UV cut filter is inserted on the optical path L, so that unnecessary UV light is irradiated to the sample. Can be prevented.

  When switching the observation method from dark field observation to polarization observation, the filter block 5 is moved leftward from the state shown in FIG. Since the filter block 5 is in contact with the contact plate 8, when the filter block 5 is moved to the left, the spectroscopic block 2 is also moved to the left, and the polarizers G3 and G4 and the bright field observation are on the optical path L. A mirror G1 is arranged (see FIG. 1). At this time, the filter G5 and the dark field observation mirror G2 are out of the optical path L, and the polarizers G3 and G4 are arranged on the optical path L, so that the polarization observation is possible. When an ultrahigh pressure mercury light source is used as an illumination light source for high luminance illumination, it is possible to prevent the sample from being irradiated with unnecessary ultraviolet rays by using the polarizers G3 and G4 to which UV cut filters are bonded.

  When switching the observation method from polarization observation to dark field observation, the speculum block 2 is moved rightward from the state shown in FIG. As a result, the filter block 5 is also moved rightward together with the spectroscopic block 2 by the contact plate 8, the dark field observation mirror G2 is disposed on the optical path L, and the polarizers G3 and G4 are out of the optical path L (FIG. 2). reference).

  When switching the observation method from dark field observation to bright field observation, only the speculum block 2 is moved leftward from the state shown in FIG. As a result, the filter G5 and the bright field observation mirror G1 are disposed on the optical path L (see FIG. 3). At this time, the polarizers G3 and G4 remain off the optical path L.

  According to this embodiment, since the arrangement of the filters G3 to G5 of the filter block 5 is devised, the switching mechanism between the filter block 5 and the speculum block 2 can be simplified. In addition, since the first and second guide members 1 and 6 are arranged close to the back of the speculum block 2 and the filter block 5, the appearance can be made clear.

  In this embodiment, the case where the observation method is switched between the bright field observation, the dark field observation, and the polarization observation has been described. However, for example, the present invention is used for switching other observation methods such as fluorescence observation, differential interference observation, and phase difference observation. May be applied.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an observation method switching device for a microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the observation method switching device for a microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the observation method switching device for a microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section along the optical path.

Explanation of symbols

  1: first guide member, 2: speculum block (first block), 5: filter block (second block), 6: second guide member, 8: contact plate (power transmission member), G1: Bright field observation mirror, G2: Dark field observation mirror, G3, G4: Polarizer, G5: Filter, L: Optical path

Claims (5)

A first block having a bright field observation mirror and a dark field observation mirror selectively disposed on an observation optical path of the microscope, and is movable in a direction orthogonal to the optical path by being guided by a first guide member When,
It has a polarizer selectively arranged on the optical path, and at least one of an ND filter and a UV cut filter, and is guided by a second guide member to be movable in the moving direction of the first block. The second block,
Power transmission for transmitting a force in a predetermined direction acting on one of the first and second blocks to the other block, and moving the first and second blocks on the optical path in conjunction with each other. And an observation method switching device for a microscope.   2. The microscope observation method switching device according to claim 1, wherein the ND filter and the UV cut filter are joined.   The microscope observation method switching device according to claim 1, wherein a UV-cut filter for high-intensity illumination observation is joined to the polarizer.   The optical element is rotatably supported by the first block, and is selectively disposed on an optical path in synchronization with a relative movement of the second block with respect to the first block. The microscope observation method switching device according to 1 or 2.   The observation method switching device for a microscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first guide member and the second guide member are arranged close to each other.

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