JP2014085597A - Microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope which allows for setting up a cross-Nicol arrangement through simple manipulation when making polarizing and/or differential interference observation.SOLUTION: A microscope 1 includes: a polarizer 106; an analyzer mechanism 108 which is rotatably mounted and centered around an optical axis of an object lens 103 on an observation side to alter polarization components of reflected light from a sample S to be transmitted by changing the rotation angle thereof; an image capturing unit 111 which generates image data of the sample S by receiving the reflected light passing through the analyzer mechanism 108 and converting the light to an electrical signal; and a cross Nicol detection unit 302 for detecting a cross Nicole position which is defined as a rotational angle of the analyzer mechanism 108 at which a cross Nicol arrangement is achieved, where an oscillation direction of a polarization component of illumination light passing through the polarizer 106 is perpendicular to an oscillation direction of a polarization component of the reflected light passing through the analyzer mechanism 108, on the basis of luminance values contained in the image data generated by the image capturing unit 111 during polarizing observation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope capable of performing polarization observation or differential interference observation on a sample.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for detachably inserting a polarizer and an analyzer into optical paths of an illumination optical system and an imaging optical system in a microscope that performs polarization observation is known (see Patent Document 1). In this technique, the user observes the internal structure of the sample by adjusting the contrast and brightness of the sample while rotating the analyzer.

  In addition, a technique for recording differential interference prism position data in a microscope that performs differential interference observation, and adjusting retardation by moving the differential interference prism to the recorded position is known (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2010-224343 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-325281

  By the way, in the above-described Patent Document 1, while confirming with an image, the analyzer is adjusted to cross Nicole by rotating the analyzer so that the vibration direction of the light passing through the polarizer and the vibration direction of the light passing through the analyzer are orthogonal to each other. Also in Patent Document 2 described above, when a polarization observation mechanism including a polarizer and an analyzer is provided, it is necessary to adjust crossed Nicols.

  However, adjustment of crossed Nicols by rotating the analyzer has been difficult for users with low skills. For this reason, the technique which can adjust an analyzer to cross Nicol with respect to a polarizer by simple operation was desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microscope that can be adjusted to crossed Nicols with a simple operation when performing polarization observation and / or differential interference observation.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a microscope according to the present invention includes a stage on which a sample is placed, a light source that irradiates illumination light to the sample, and the illumination light that the light source irradiates. An objective lens that collects light on the sample, and a half mirror that reflects the illumination light emitted from the light source to the objective lens while transmitting reflected light reflected by the sample incident through the objective lens, A polarizer disposed on an optical path between the light source and the half mirror and transmitting only a polarization component in one direction of the illumination light emitted by the light source; and rotatable on the observation side so as to be rotatable about the optical axis of the objective lens An analyzer that is disposed on the optical path and transmits the polarization component of the reflected light according to the rotation angle from the reference position, and receives the reflected light that has passed through the analyzer and converts it into an electrical signal. And a vibration direction of the polarization component of the illumination light transmitted through the polarizer based on a luminance value included in the image data generated by the imaging unit during polarization observation. And a crossed Nicols detector that detects the rotation angle of the analyzer as a crossed Nicol position in a crossed Nicols state in which the polarization direction of the polarized light component of the reflected light that passes through the analyzer is orthogonal. To do.

  Further, in the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the imaging unit sequentially generates the image data sequentially along a time series, and the crossed Nicol detection unit is configured so that the analyzer rotates when the analyzer rotates. The rotation angle of the analyzer that minimizes the luminance value is detected as the crossed Nicols position.

  Further, in the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the display unit displaying an image corresponding to the image data and the crossed Nicol detection unit detect the crossed Nicol position, the analyzer is in the crossed Nicol position. An output control unit for causing the display unit to output information indicating that the display unit is present.

  Further, the microscope according to the present invention includes a rotation angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the analyzer from a predetermined position in the above invention, and the rotation angle detection when the cross Nicol detection unit detects the cross Nicol position. And a recording unit that records the rotation angle detected by the unit.

  In the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the drive unit that drives the analyzer to rotate about the optical axis, and the drive unit is driven based on the rotation angle recorded by the recording unit. And a drive controller that rotates the analyzer to the crossed Nicol position.

  Further, in the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the drive control unit sets the analyzer most on the basis of the current rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection unit and the rotation angle recorded by the recording unit. It is characterized by being rotated to a close crossed Nicol position.

  The microscope according to the present invention is the microscope according to the above-described invention, which is arranged so as to be able to advance and retreat on the optical path between the half mirror and the objective lens, and has two straight lines orthogonal to each other in one direction of the polarization component transmitted through the polarizer. A differential interference prism that superimposes the light separated into two linearly polarized light components reflected by the sample while separating the polarization component, and a differential interference driving unit that moves the differential interference prism in a horizontal direction with respect to the optical path; A differential interference observation operation unit that receives an input of an instruction signal for instructing differential interference observation, and the output control unit, when the instruction signal is input from the differential interference observation operation unit, When not in the crossed Nicols position, the display unit displays that the differential interference observation is not possible.

  According to the microscope of the present invention, the crossed Nicols detection unit transmits the polarization direction of the polarization component of the illumination light transmitted through the polarizer and the analyzer based on the luminance value included in the image data generated by the imaging unit during polarization observation. Since the rotation angle of the analyzer, which is in a crossed Nicol state in which the polarization direction of the polarization component of the reflected light is orthogonal, is detected as the crossed Nicol position, there is an effect that the crossed Nicol can be adjusted with a simple operation.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of a microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the analyzer mechanism of the microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a detection in which the crossed Nicols detector of the microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention detects the crossed Nicols position of the analyzer based on the luminance value included in the image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processor. It is a figure explaining a method. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of the microscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the microscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the microscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the microscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings. Further, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In the description of the drawings, the same portions will be described with the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of a microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a plane on which the microscope 1 is placed is referred to as an XY plane, and a direction perpendicular to the XY plane is referred to as a Z direction.

  A microscope 1 shown in FIG. 1 records a microscope body 10 for observing a sample S, a display unit 20 for displaying an image corresponding to image data obtained by imaging the sample S by the microscope body 10, and various data of the microscope 1. And a controller 30 that controls the driving of the microscope main body 10 and the display unit 20.

  The microscope main body 10 includes a stage 101, a revolver 102, an objective lens 103, a light source 104, a parallel lens 105, a polarizer 106, a half mirror 107, an analyzer mechanism 108, and a rotation angle detection unit 109. An image lens 110 and an imaging unit 111 are provided.

  On the stage 101, the sample S is placed. The stage 101 is configured to be movable in the XYZ directions. The stage 101 may be configured to be movable in the XY plane by a drive unit such as a motor under the control of the controller 30.

  The revolver 102 holds a plurality of objective lenses 103 having different magnifications (observation magnifications). The revolver 102 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the microscope body 10, and an objective lens 103 used for observing the sample S is disposed above the sample S.

  The objective lens 103 condenses the illumination light emitted from the light source 104 on the sample S. The objective lens 103 includes, for example, an objective lens 103a having a relatively low magnification of 1 ×, 2 ×, and 4 × (hereinafter referred to as “low magnification objective lens 103a”), and a low magnification objective of 10 ×, 20 ×, and 40 ×. At least one objective lens 103b (hereinafter referred to as “high magnification objective lens 103b”) having a high magnification relative to the magnification of the lens 103a is attached to the revolver 102. Note that the magnifications of the low-magnification objective lens 103a and the high-magnification objective lens 103b are only examples, and it is sufficient that the magnification of the high-magnification objective lens 103b is higher than that of the low-magnification objective lens 103a.

  The light source 104 emits illumination light to the sample S under the control of the controller 30. The light source 104 includes a white light source such as a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

  The parallel lens 105 collects the illumination light emitted from the light source 104 (hereinafter referred to as “epi-illumination light”) and converts it into parallel light.

  The polarizer 106 is disposed on the optical path (illumination optical system) between the light source 104 and the half mirror 107, and transmits only the polarization component in one direction of the illumination light emitted from the light source 104. The polarizer 106 is configured using a polarizing plate that is one of optical elements such as a filter.

  The half mirror 107 reflects the illumination light to the objective lens 103, and transmits the reflected light of the sample S incident through the objective lens 103.

  The analyzer mechanism 108 is arranged on the observation side, and transmits only the polarization component in one direction of the reflected light of the sample S incident through the objective lens 103 and the half mirror 107.

  Here, the configuration of the analyzer mechanism 108 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the analyzer mechanism 108.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the analyzer mechanism 108 is configured by using a polarizing plate that is one of optical elements such as a filter, and is disposed on the observation-side optical path so as to be rotatable about the optical axis of the objective lens 103. Analyzer 108a, rotatable operation portion 108b, and belt 108c for transmitting the rotation of operation portion 108b to analyzer 108a. The analyzer 108a transmits the polarization component of the reflected light according to the rotation angle from the reference position. Here, the reference position is a position where the vibration direction of the polarization component of the light transmitted through the polarizer 106 and the vibration direction of the polarization component of the light transmitted through the analyzer 108c are orthogonal to each other. Further, the operation unit 108b is provided with a memory 108d indicating the rotation angle of the analyzer 108a. Accordingly, when the user operates the operation unit 108b, the analyzer 108a also rotates. The analyzer mechanism 108 only needs to be able to transmit the rotation of the operation unit 108b to the analyzer 108a, and may be a gear or the like instead of the belt 108c.

  The rotation angle detection unit 109 detects the rotation angle of the analyzer 108 a and outputs the detection result to the controller 30. Here, the rotation angle is an angle from the reference position to the position where the analyzer 108a is rotated. The rotation angle detection unit 109 is configured using a rotary encoder, an optical photo interrupter, or the like.

  The imaging lens 110 collects the reflected light of the sample S incident through the analyzer 108a and forms an observation image.

  The imaging unit 111 receives the observation image formed by the imaging lens 110 and performs photoelectric conversion to generate image data of the sample S, and outputs this image data to the controller 30. The imaging unit 111 is configured using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), or the like.

  The display unit 20 displays an image corresponding to image data input via the controller 30 described later and operation information of the microscope 1. The display unit 20 is configured using a display panel made of liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like. When a signal indicating that the analyzer 108a is in a crossed Nicol position where the vibration direction of the polarizer 106 and the vibration direction of the analyzer 108a are orthogonal to each other is input from the controller 30 described later, the display unit 20 Information indicating that 108a is in the crossed Nicol position is displayed. The display unit 20 includes a crossed Nicol registration button 201 that receives an input of an instruction signal for registering a crossed Nicol position.

  The recording unit 21 records various programs for operating the microscope 1, various data used during execution of the programs, image data generated by the imaging unit 111, and the like. The recording unit 21 receives the instruction signal for recording the crossed Nicol position of the analyzer 108a from the display unit 20, and the analyzer detected by the rotation angle detecting unit 109 under the control of the crossed Nicol registration unit 303 described later. The rotation angle 108a is recorded as the crossed Nicols position. The recording unit 21 is configured using a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory.

  The controller 30 is configured using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like, and comprehensively controls the operation of the microscope 1 by transmitting control signals and various types of data to each part of the microscope 1. .

  Here, a detailed configuration of the controller 30 will be described. The controller 30 includes an image processing unit 301, a crossed Nicol detection unit 302, a crossed Nicol registration unit 303, a drive control unit 304, and an output control unit 305.

  The image processing unit 301 performs predetermined image processing on the image data sequentially input from the imaging unit 111 and sequentially outputs the image data subjected to the image processing to the display unit 20. Specifically, the image processing unit 301 performs image processing such as optical black reduction processing, white balance adjustment processing, color matrix calculation processing, gamma correction processing, color reproduction processing, and edge enhancement processing on the image data. Output to the display unit 20. Further, the image processing unit 301 calculates the luminance value of the image data.

  The crossed Nicols detection unit 302 is based on the luminance value included in the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit 301, and the vibration direction of the polarization component of the illumination light transmitted through the polarizer 106 and the reflected light transmitted through the analyzer 108a. The rotation angle of the analyzer 108a, which is in a crossed Nicol state in which the vibration direction of the polarization component is orthogonal, is detected as a crossed Nicol position. Specifically, the crossed Nicols detection unit 302 sets the luminance value to the minimum value based on the luminance value included in each of the plurality of image data that the image processing unit 301 has continuously performed image processing along the time series. The rotational position of the analyzer 108a corresponding to the image data at that time is detected as a crossed Nicols position.

  When the instruction signal for registering the crossed Nicol position of the analyzer 108 a is input from the crossed Nicol registration button 201, the crossed Nicol registration unit 303 records the rotation angle of the analyzer 108 a detected by the rotation angle detection unit 109 in the recording unit 21. .

  The drive control unit 304 controls the driving of the microscope 1. Specifically, the drive control unit 304 causes the imaging unit 111 to execute still image shooting when an instruction signal instructing the still image shooting of the imaging unit 111 is input from an operation input unit (not shown). The drive control unit 304 controls lighting of the light source 104.

  When the crossed Nicol detection unit 302 detects the crossed Nicol position, the output control unit 305 causes the display unit 20 to output information indicating that the analyzer 108a is at the crossed Nicol position. Note that the output control unit 305 may cause the display unit 20 to output information indicating that the analyzer 108a is at the crossed Nicol position by voice or vibration when the crossed Nicol detection unit 302 detects the crossed Nicol position.

  In the microscope main body 10 configured as described above, the illumination light emitted from the light source 104 is converted into parallel light by the parallel lens 105 and is transmitted through the polarizer 106. The light that has passed through the polarizer 106 becomes only a polarization component in one direction, is reflected by the half mirror 107, and is irradiated on the sample S through the objective lens 103. The reflected light reflected by the sample S passes through the half mirror 107 and the analyzer 108a, is condensed by the imaging lens 110, and forms an image on the light receiving surface of the imaging unit 111. In this case, when the vibration direction of the polarizer 106 and the vibration direction of the analyzer 108a are arranged in an orthogonal direction, the luminance value included in the image data is minimized. This state is called crossed Nicol. Cross Nicol has a difference in luminance value depending on the sample S to be observed, but the position of the analyzer 108a in the cross Nicol state does not change. Thus, by performing polarization observation with the analyzer 108a in the crossed Nicol position, it is possible to easily observe the sample S or the like having birefringence characteristics.

  Next, processing executed by the microscope 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the microscope 1. In FIG. 3, a method in which the user sets the analyzer 108a to the crossed Nicols position will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 30 determines whether or not the operation unit 108b has been operated (step S101). Specifically, the controller 30 determines whether or not the operation unit 108b has been operated based on the detection result input from the rotation angle detection unit 109. For example, when the detection result is not input from the rotation angle detection unit 109, the controller 30 determines that the operation unit 108b is not operated. When the controller 30 determines that the operation unit 108b has been operated (step S101: Yes), the microscope 1 proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, when the controller 30 determines that the operation unit 108b is not rotated (step S101: No), the controller 30 continues this determination.

  Subsequently, the image processing unit 301 calculates a luminance value included in the image data by performing image processing on the image data (step S102). In this case, the image processing unit 301 calculates the luminance value by averaging all luminance components included in the image data, or calculates the luminance value by averaging the luminance components in a predetermined area of the image data. May be.

  Thereafter, the crossed Nicols detector 302 detects the crossed Nicols position of the analyzer 108a based on the luminance value included in the image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processor 301 (step S103).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a detection method in which the crossed Nicols detection unit 302 detects the crossed Nicols position of the analyzer 108a based on the luminance value included in the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit 301. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the rotation angle of the analyzer 108a, and the vertical axis indicates the luminance value.

As shown in FIG. 4, the crossed Nicols detection unit 302 compares the luminance values included in the respective image data sequentially subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 301, and determines the rotation angle at which the luminance value is the minimum value of the analyzer 108 a. Detect as a crossed Nicol position. Specifically, the crossed Nicols detector 302 sequentially compares the brightness values P1 to P6 calculated according to the rotation angles θ _{1 to} θ ₆ of the analyzer 108a, and the brightness value is decreasing (P1>). P2>P3>P4> P5) detects the rotational angle (theta ₅₎ just before the luminance value to shift to state (P5 <P6) which increases from, for detecting the rotation angle theta ₅ as a cross nicol position of the analyzer 108a . When the luminance value after being rotated is larger than the luminance value before rotating the analyzer 108a, the analyzer 108a is rotated, and the position where the luminance value before rotating becomes larger than the luminance value after rotating is determined as the analyzer. 108a is detected as a crossed Nicol position.

  After step S103, the controller 30 determines whether the analyzer 108a has been rotated by 180 degrees or more (step S104). If the controller 30 determines that the analyzer 108a has been rotated 180 degrees or more (step S104: Yes), the microscope 1 proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, when the controller 30 determines that the analyzer 108a has not been rotated by 180 degrees or more (step S104: No), the microscope 1 proceeds to step S102.

  Subsequently, the controller 30 determines whether or not the operation unit 108b has been operated (step S105). When the controller 30 determines that the operation unit 108b has been operated (step S105: Yes), the microscope 1 proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, when the controller 30 does not determine that the operation unit 108b has been operated (step S105: No), the controller 30 continues this determination.

  Thereafter, when the analyzer 108a is at the crossed Nicols position (step S106: Yes), the microscope 1 proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, when the analyzer 108a is not in the crossed Nicol position (step S106: No), the microscope 1 returns to step S105.

  In step S107, the output control unit 305 causes the display unit 20 to display information indicating that the analyzer 108a is at the crossed Nicol position. In this case, the display unit 20 superimposes and displays information indicating that the analyzer 108a is at the crossed Nicol position on the image according to the information input from the output control unit 305. Note that the output control unit 305 may cause the display unit 20 to output information indicating that the analyzer 108a is in the crossed Nicols state by voice or vibration.

  Subsequently, when the crossed Nicols registration button 201 is operated (step S108: Yes), the crossed Nicols registration unit 303 stores the rotation angle of the analyzer 108a detected by the rotation angle detection unit 109 in the recording unit 21 as the crossed Nicols position information. Recording is performed (step S109). After step S109, the microscope 1 ends this process. On the other hand, when the crossed Nicol registration button 201 is not operated (step S108: No), the microscope 1 ends this process.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the polarization of the illumination light transmitted through the polarizer 106 based on the luminance value included in the image data generated by the imaging unit 111 when the crossed Nicols detection unit 302 observes polarized light. The rotation angle of the analyzer 108a, which is in a crossed Nicol state in which the vibration direction of the component and the vibration direction of the polarization component of the reflected light transmitted through the analyzer 108a are orthogonal, is detected as the crossed Nicol position. Can be adjusted to Nicole.

  Further, according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, when the output control unit 305 detects the crossed Nicol position of the analyzer 108a by the crossed Nicol detection unit 302, the display unit displays information indicating that the analyzer 108a is in the crossed Nicol position. 20 is displayed. As a result, the operator can easily adjust the analyzer 108a to the crossed Nicols position.

  Further, according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, when the crossed Nicol registration unit 303 detects the crossed Nicol position of the analyzer 108a by the crossed Nicol detection unit 302, the rotation angle of the analyzer 108a detected by the rotation angle detection unit 109 is determined. Recorded in the recording unit 21 as a crossed Nicol position. As a result, the operator can easily adjust the analyzer 108a again when adjusting the analyzer 108a to the crossed Nicols position.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The microscope according to the second embodiment has a mechanism for automatically rotating the analyzer. For this reason, below, after demonstrating the structure of the microscope concerning this Embodiment 2, the process which the microscope concerning this Embodiment 2 performs is demonstrated. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the structure of the microscope concerning Embodiment 1 mentioned above, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of the microscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The microscope 2 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a recording unit 21, a microscope main body 40 that observes the sample S, a display unit 50 that displays an image corresponding to image data obtained by the microscope main body 40 imaging the sample S, and a microscope main body. And a controller 60 that controls driving of the unit 40 and the display unit 50.

  The microscope main body 40 includes a stage 101, a revolver 102, an objective lens 103, a light source 104, a parallel lens 105, a polarizer 106, a half mirror 107, a rotation angle detection unit 109, an imaging lens 110, An imaging unit 111, an analyzer 401, and an analyzer driving unit 402 are provided.

  The analyzer 401 is disposed on the observation side, and transmits only the polarization component in one direction of the reflected light of the sample S incident through the objective lens 103 and the half mirror 107. The analyzer 401 is configured using a polarizing plate that is one of optical elements such as a filter, and is provided so as to be rotatable about the optical axis of the objective lens 103. The analyzer 401 changes the polarization component that transmits the reflected light according to the rotation angle.

  The analyzer driving unit 402 rotates the analyzer 401 around the optical axis of the objective lens 103 under the control of the controller 60. The analyzer driving unit 402 is configured using a stepping motor, a DC motor, or the like.

  The display unit 50 displays an image corresponding to image data input via the controller 60 and operation information of the microscope 2. The display unit 50 is configured using a display panel made of liquid crystal, organic EL, or the like. Further, the display unit 50 includes a polarization observation condition button 501 that receives an input of an instruction signal that drives the microscope 2 to an optimal polarization observation condition.

  The controller 60 is configured by using a CPU, a memory, and the like, and comprehensively controls the operation of the microscope 2 by transmitting control signals and various data to each unit constituting the microscope 2. Here, a detailed configuration of the controller 60 will be described. The controller 60 includes an image processing unit 301, a crossed Nicol detection unit 302, a crossed Nicol registration unit 303, an output control unit 305, and a drive control unit 601.

  The drive control unit 601 controls the drive of the analyzer drive unit 402. Specifically, when an instruction signal for switching the microscope 2 to the optimum polarization observation condition is input from the polarization observation condition button 501, the drive control unit 601 drives the analyzer drive unit 402 and rotates the analyzer 401. Then, the microscope 2 is switched to the optimum polarization observation state. Specifically, the analyzer 401 is rotated to the crossed Nicols position.

  Next, processing executed by the microscope 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the microscope 2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 60 determines whether or not the polarization observation condition button 501 has been operated (step S201). Specifically, the controller 60 determines whether or not an instruction signal for instructing polarization observation is input from the polarization observation condition button 501. When the controller 60 determines that the polarization observation condition button 501 has been operated (step S201: Yes), the microscope 2 proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when the controller 60 determines that the polarization observation condition button 501 is not operated (step S201: No), the controller 60 repeats this determination.

  Subsequently, the drive control unit 601 drives the analyzer drive unit 402 to rotate the analyzer 401 (step S202).

  Thereafter, the image processing unit 301 calculates the luminance value of the image data by performing image processing on the image data continuously generated in time series by the imaging unit 111 (step S203).

  Subsequently, based on the luminance values sequentially calculated by the image processing unit 301, the crossed Nicol detection unit 302 detects the rotation angle of the analyzer 401 that minimizes the luminance value as the crossed Nicol position of the analyzer 401 (step S204).

  Thereafter, the crossed Nicols registration unit 303 records the rotation angle of the analyzer 401 detected by the crossed Nicols detection unit 302 in the recording unit 21 as the crossed Nicol position of the analyzer 401 (step S205).

  Subsequently, the drive control unit 601 drives the analyzer drive unit 402 based on the rotation angle of the analyzer 401 recorded by the recording unit 21, and rotates the analyzer 401 to the rotation angle of the crossed Nicol position (step S206). After step S206, the microscope 2 ends this process.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, when the polarization observation condition button 501 is operated, the drive control unit 601 is based on the rotation angle of the analyzer 401 recorded by the recording unit 21. 402 is driven, and the analyzer 401 is rotated to the rotation angle at the crossed Nicol position. As a result, the operator can adjust the analyzer 401 to a crossed Nicol position where polarization observation can be performed only by operating the polarization observation condition button 501.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the two crossed Nicols positions may be detected by rotating the analyzer 401 once from the stop position, and the two rotated positions may be recorded in the recording unit 21. In this case, the drive control unit 601 may drive the analyzer driving unit 402 to rotate the analyzer 401 to the closest crossed Nicol position from the current position.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The microscope according to the second embodiment can perform polarization observation and differential interference observation. For this reason, below, after demonstrating the structure of the microscope concerning this Embodiment 3, the process which the microscope concerning this Embodiment 3 performs is demonstrated. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to the microscope 2 concerning Embodiment 1 mentioned above, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of a microscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The microscope 3 shown in FIG. 7 includes a recording unit 21, a microscope main body 70 that observes the sample S, a display unit 80 that displays an image corresponding to image data generated by the microscope main body 70, a microscope main body 70, and And a controller 90 that controls driving of the display unit 80.

  The microscope main body 70 includes a stage 101, a revolver 102, an objective lens 103, a light source 104, a parallel lens 105, a polarizer 106, a half mirror 107, a rotation angle detector 109, an imaging lens 110, An imaging unit 111, an analyzer 401, an analyzer driving unit 402, a differential interference prism 701, and a differential interference driving unit 702 are provided.

  The differential interference prism 701 is provided so as to advance and retreat with respect to the optical path between the objective lens 103 and the half mirror 107. The differential interference prism 701 separates the light that has been transmitted through the polarizer 106 into one direction of polarized light component into two linearly polarized light components that are orthogonal to each other, while being separated into two linearly polarized light components that are reflected by the sample S. Are superimposed. As a result, the light separated into two linearly polarized light components orthogonal to each other is reflected by the sample S to cause a phase difference, and enters the differential interference prism 701 in a state where interference occurs, whereby two straight lines are obtained. The polarization components are superimposed. The superimposed light becomes a polarization component in one direction when passing through the analyzer 401.

  The differential interference driving unit 702 moves the differential interference prism 701 in the horizontal direction with respect to the optical path under the control of the controller 90. The differential interference driving unit 702 is configured using a stepping motor, a DC motor, or the like.

  The display unit 80 displays an image corresponding to image data input via the controller 90 and operation information of the microscope 3. The display unit 80 is configured using a display panel made of liquid crystal, organic EL, or the like. Further, the display unit 80 includes a polarization observation condition button 501, a differential interference observation condition button 801 that receives an input of an instruction signal that drives the microscope 3 to an optimum differential interference condition, and the differential interference prism 701 in the horizontal direction on the + side or A differential interference adjustment button 802 for receiving an input of an instruction signal to be moved to the negative side.

  The controller 90 is configured using a CPU, a memory, and the like, and comprehensively controls the operation of the microscope 3 by transmitting control signals and various types of data to each unit constituting the microscope 3. Here, a detailed configuration of the controller 90 will be described. The controller 90 includes an image processing unit 301, a crossed Nicol detection unit 302, a crossed Nicol registration unit 303, an output control unit 305, and a drive control unit 901.

  When an instruction signal for switching the microscope 3 to the optimum polarization observation condition is input from the polarization observation condition button 501, the drive control unit 901 drives the analyzer drive unit 402 and rotates the analyzer 401 to the crossed Nicol position, The microscope 3 is switched to the optimum polarization observation state. Further, when an instruction signal for switching the microscope 3 to the optimum differential interference observation condition is input from the differential interference observation condition button 801, the drive control unit 901 drives the differential interference drive unit 702 to move the differential interference prism 701 in the horizontal direction. The microscope 3 is switched to the optimum differential interference observation state by moving it along the optical path.

  Next, processing executed by the microscope 3 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the microscope 3.

  Steps S301 to S306 shown in FIG. 8 correspond to steps S201 to S206 in FIG.

  In step S307, when the differential interference observation condition button 801 is operated (step S307: Yes), when the analyzer 401 is in the crossed Nicols position (step S308: Yes), the drive control unit 901 includes the differential interference drive unit 702. And the differential interference prism 701 is moved on the optical path (step S309).

  Subsequently, when the differential interference adjustment button 802 is operated (step S310: Yes), the drive control unit 901 drives the differential interference drive unit 702 to move the differential interference prism 701 to the + side by an amount corresponding to the instruction signal. Move to the negative side (step S311). Thereby, the user can perform fine retardation adjustment in differential interference observation. After step S311, the microscope 3 ends this process. On the other hand, when the differential interference adjustment button 802 has not been operated (step S310: No), the microscope 3 ends this process.

  In step S307, when the differential interference observation condition button 801 is not operated (step S307: No), the microscope 3 ends this process.

  In step S308, when the analyzer 401 is not in the crossed Nicols position (step S308: No), the output control unit 305 alerts the display unit 80 by outputting that differential interference observation is not possible (step S312). Specifically, differential interference observation cannot perform retardation adjustment when the analyzer 401 is not in the crossed Nicols position. For this reason, the output control unit 305 causes the display unit 80 to display a message indicating that the user should adjust the analyzer 401 to the crossed Nicols position, for example, operating the polarization observation condition button 501. After step S312, the microscope 3 ends this process.

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention described above, when the differential interference observation condition button 801 is operated, if the analyzer 401 is not in the crossed Nicol position, the drive control unit 901 adjusts the analyzer 401 to the crossed Nicol position. The differential interference driving unit 702 is driven to move the differential interference prism 701 on the optical path. As a result, optimal retardation adjustment can be performed.

  In the present invention, a microscope provided with a microscope main body, a display unit, and a controller has been described as an example. For example, an objective lens for enlarging a sample, an imaging function for imaging a sample via the objective lens, and an image are displayed. The present invention can also be applied to an imaging device having a display function, such as a video microscope.

  In the present invention, the upright microscope apparatus has been described as an example of the microscope apparatus. However, the present invention can also be applied to an inverted microscope apparatus, for example. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to various systems such as a line apparatus incorporating a microscope apparatus.

  In the present invention, the display unit and the controller are separately configured, but may be integrally formed.

  In the present invention, the analyzer is rotated. However, the present invention can be applied even when the polarizer is rotated.

1, 2, 3 Microscope 10, 40, 70 Microscope main body 20, 50, 80 Display unit 21 Recording unit 30, 60, 90 Controller 101 Stage 102 Revolver 103 Objective lens 104 Light source 105 Parallel lens 106 Polarizer 107 Half mirror 108 Analyzer mechanism 108a, 401 Analyzer 108b Operation unit 108c Belt 108d Memory 109 Rotation angle detection unit 110 Imaging lens 111 Imaging unit 201 Cross Nicole registration button 301 Image processing unit 302 Cross Nicole detection unit 303 Cross Nicole registration unit 304, 601, 901 Drive control unit 305 Output unit control unit 402 Analyzer drive unit 501 Polarization observation condition button 701 Differential interference prism 702 Differential interference drive unit 801 Differential interference observation condition button

Claims (7)

A stage on which a sample is placed;
A light source for illuminating the sample with illumination light;
An objective lens that focuses the illumination light emitted by the light source on the sample;
A half mirror that reflects the illumination light emitted from the light source to the objective lens and transmits the reflected light reflected by the sample incident through the objective lens;
A polarizer that is disposed on an optical path between the light source and the half mirror and transmits only a polarization component in one direction of the illumination light irradiated by the light source;
An analyzer that is arranged on the optical path on the observation side so as to be rotatable about the optical axis of the objective lens, and that transmits the polarization component of the reflected light according to the rotation angle from the reference position;
An imaging unit that generates the image data of the sample by receiving the reflected light transmitted through the analyzer and converting it into an electrical signal;
Based on the luminance value included in the image data generated by the imaging unit during polarization observation, the vibration direction of the polarization component of the illumination light transmitted through the polarizer and the vibration direction of the polarization component of the reflected light transmitted through the analyzer A crossed Nicols detector that detects the rotation angle of the analyzer in a crossed Nicols state orthogonal to each other as a crossed Nicols position;
A microscope comprising: The imaging unit sequentially generates the image data sequentially along a time series,
2. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the crossed Nicols detection unit detects a rotation angle of the analyzer at which the luminance value is minimized when the analyzer is rotated as the crossed Nicols position. A display unit for displaying an image corresponding to the image data;
When the crossed Nicol detection unit detects the crossed Nicol position, an output control unit that outputs information indicating that the analyzer is in the crossed Nicol position to the display unit;
The microscope according to claim 1, further comprising: A rotation angle detector that detects a rotation angle of the analyzer from a predetermined position;
When the crossed Nicol detection unit detects the crossed Nicol position, a recording unit that records the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection unit;
The microscope according to claim 1, further comprising: A drive unit that rotationally drives the analyzer about the optical axis;
A drive control unit that drives the drive unit to rotate the analyzer to the crossed Nicol position based on the rotation angle recorded by the recording unit;
The microscope according to claim 4, further comprising:   The drive control unit rotates the analyzer to the nearest crossed Nicol position based on the current rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection unit and the rotation angle recorded by the recording unit. Item 6. The microscope according to Item 5. The unidirectionally polarized light component which is disposed on the optical path between the half mirror and the objective lens so as to be able to advance and retract is separated into two linearly polarized light components orthogonal to each other and reflected by the sample 2 A differential interference prism that superimposes light separated into two linearly polarized components;
A differential interference driving unit that horizontally moves the differential interference prism with respect to the optical path;
A differential interference observation operation unit that receives an input of an instruction signal instructing differential interference observation;
Further comprising
The output control unit causes the display unit to display that the differential interference observation is not possible when the instruction signal is input from the differential interference observation operation unit and the analyzer is not in a crossed Nicol position. The microscope according to claim 6.

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