JP2015169640A - Observation optical device and contact angle meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an observation optical device enabling observation in a narrow space, and a contact angle meter.SOLUTION: An observation optical device 1 includes: a first reflection surface 32 and a second reflection surface 42 that are disposed to face each other and have areas gradually coming closer to each other towards an observation object 10 side; a light source 10 that is disposed at such a position that light L emitted by itself and reflected by the first reflection surface 32 and the second reflection surface 42 at least once for each, is illuminated towards the observation object 100; and a lens optical system 22 that is disposed at such a position that the light L illuminated towards the observation object 100 and reflected by the first reflection surface 32 and the second reflection surface 42 at least once for each, enters.

Description

  The present invention relates to an observation optical apparatus for observing various observation objects such as droplets on a solid sample, and a contact angle meter including the observation optical apparatus, and more particularly, to observing various observation objects from the side.

  Conventionally, in the measurement of the contact angle, the droplet formed on the solid sample is observed from the side to obtain the contour shape of the droplet, and the contact angle is calculated based on the contour shape. Therefore, a general contact angle meter includes an imaging device that observes a droplet from the side, and a light source that irradiates the droplet from the opposite side of the imaging device to obtain a silhouette image of the droplet. .

In a general contact angle meter, the imaging device and the light source are arranged on the side of the solid sample.
Depending on the size and shape of the solid sample, it may be difficult to observe the droplet from the side. In other words, when the solid sample is large, there arises a problem that the distance from the imaging device and the light source to the droplet is increased, and when there are irregularities or other objects on the surface of the solid sample, the imaging device or the light source is used. There may be a problem of obstruction.

  For this reason, there is a contact angle meter or the like in which an imaging device and a light source are arranged above a solid sample by deflecting light by a prism or the like so that the above-described problem is hardly caused (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). In addition, the technology that enables observation of difficult-to-observe parts by deflecting light using a prism, mirror, etc. is used in various fields other than contact angle measurement, such as visual inspection of electronic components. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-230886 JP 2005-228778 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 or 2, since the light is merely deflected at a right angle, observation is impossible depending on the state of the object to be observed such as a droplet or an electronic component. There was a problem of becoming. That is, in order to arrange a prism having a reflecting surface inclined at 45 ° with respect to the observation direction on the side of the object to be observed, a relatively wide space is required. In some cases, a prism or the like cannot be arranged.

  In particular, in the contact angle meter described in Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to dispose two prisms for the imaging device and the light source on the side of the object to be observed, the contact angle of a droplet on a large solid sample is required. The use has been substantially limited to the measurement. In addition, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, since the object to be observed is illuminated with an optical fiber, it is difficult to place the optical fiber in a narrow space, and the optical fiber can be further arranged. Even in such a case, the object to be observed may not be properly illuminated.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide an observation optical device and a contact angle meter that enable observation in a narrower place.

  (1) In the present invention, the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface that are arranged toward each other and have regions gradually approaching each other toward the object to be observed, and the light emitted from the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface. A light source disposed at a position irradiated to the object to be observed after being reflected at least once by the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface, and light irradiated toward the object to be observed A lens optical system disposed at a position where it is incident after being reflected at least once by the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface.

  (2) In the present invention, the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface are respectively disposed on both sides of the first direction with respect to the object to be observed, and are orthogonal to the first direction. 2. The observation optical apparatus according to (1), wherein the observation optical device has regions that gradually approach each other along the direction 2 toward the object to be observed.

  (3) The present invention also provides the observation optical device according to (1) or (2), further including an imaging device that images the object to be observed through the lens optical system.

  (4) The present invention is also characterized in that the light source is disposed at a position where light emitted from the light source enters the lens optical system after passing through the periphery of the object to be observed. (3) The optical device for observation according to any one of (3).

  (5) The present invention is also characterized in that the light source is disposed at a position where light emitted from the light source is incident on the lens optical system after being reflected by the surface of the object to be observed. (3) The optical device for observation according to any one of (3).

  (6) The present invention also provides a contact angle meter comprising the observation optical device according to the above (3) or (4).

  (7) The present invention is also directed to an ejection device that ejects a liquid sample to form a droplet to be the object to be observed, an optical path from the light source to the droplet, and from the droplet to the lens optical system. The contact angle meter according to (6), further comprising a retracting device that retracts the discharge device from the optical path.

  According to the observation optical device and the contact angle meter according to the present invention, an excellent effect that observation in a narrower place is possible can be achieved.

It is the schematic which showed the structure of the optical apparatus for observation which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) It is the schematic which showed the aspect of the reflection of the light in the 1st reflective surface and the 2nd reflective surface. (B) It is the schematic which showed the image which imaged the to-be-observed object with the optical apparatus for observation. (A)-(d) It is the schematic which showed the usage example of the optical apparatus for observation. (A) It is the schematic which showed an example at the time of providing only a lens optical system instead of an imaging device. (B) It is the schematic which showed an example at the time of making the length of the optical path from a light source to an observation object differ from the length of the optical path from an observation object to a lens optical system. (A) And (b) It is the schematic which showed the example at the time of dividing and providing a 1st reflective surface and a 2nd reflective surface in several area | region, respectively. (A) And (b) The figure which showed the example at the time of arrange | positioning the guidance auxiliary member which guide | induces light between a light source and a lens optical system, and a 1st reflective surface and a 2nd reflective surface. is there. (A) And (b) It is the schematic which showed the example at the time of observing and illuminating to-be-observed object from the same side of a X direction. (A) And (b) It is the schematic which showed the example at the time of making it observe the to-be-observed object from the direction which has an angle with respect to X direction. (A) And (b) It is the schematic which showed an example of the structure of the contact angle meter which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

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

  In the following description, one direction in the horizontal plane is the X direction, the vertical direction is the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the X direction in the horizontal plane is the Z direction. In addition, the dimensions, shapes, and the like of the respective parts in the following drawings are not necessarily accurate for easy understanding.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of an observation optical apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The observation optical device 1 according to the present embodiment makes it possible to observe the observation object 100 existing on an arbitrary plane P substantially parallel to the X direction from the X direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the observation optical device 1 includes a light source 10, an imaging device 20, a first reflecting member 30, and a second reflecting member 40.

  The light source 10 includes, for example, an LED or a halogen lamp, and illuminates the observation object 100 when the observation object 100 is observed. The light source 10 is supported by a housing or a support member (not shown), and is disposed at a position separated from the object 100 in the Y direction. The light source 10 is arranged with its own optical axis 10a oriented in a predetermined direction.

  The imaging device 20 is composed of, for example, a CCD camera or the like provided with a lens optical system 22 that enlarges and forms an image of the object 100 to be observed, and images the object 100 to be observed. The imaging device 20 is supported by a housing or a support member (not shown), and is disposed at a position separated from the object to be observed 100 in the Y direction. Further, the imaging device 20 is arranged with its own optical axis 20a (of the lens optical system 22) oriented in a predetermined direction.

  The first reflecting member 30 is a member provided with a first reflecting surface 32 that reflects light such as a mirror surface. Similarly, the 2nd reflection member 40 is a member provided with the 2nd reflection surface 42 which reflects light, such as a mirror surface, for example. The first reflection member 30 and the second reflection member 40 are supported by a housing or a support member (not shown), and the end on the object 100 side sandwiches the object 100 from both sides in the X direction. It is arranged to become.

  The first reflecting member 30 is arranged with the first reflecting surface 32 facing the second reflecting member 40 side. Similarly, the second reflecting member 40 is arranged with the second reflecting surface 42 facing the first reflecting member 30 side. That is, the first reflecting member 30 and the second reflecting member 40 face each other, and are arranged so that the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 are in a state of reflecting light from each other. ing.

  Furthermore, the first reflecting member 30 and the second reflecting member 40 are arranged such that the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 each form a predetermined angle θ with respect to the Y direction. In addition, the end on the object 100 side is closer to the end than the end on the imaging device 20 side. That is, the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 are arranged in a state of gradually approaching each other toward the object 100 to be observed.

  In the present embodiment, by arranging the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 in this way, as shown in FIG. The light L is guided toward the object to be observed 100 in the Y direction, and finally, the object L can be irradiated with the light L from the X direction. In addition, the light L from the X direction that has been irradiated toward the object to be observed 100 and passed through the periphery of the object to be observed 100 is guided toward the image pickup apparatus 20 in the Y direction, and finally the lens optics of the image pickup apparatus 20. Light L can be incident on the system 22.

  In this example, the value of the angle θ that is the tilt angle with respect to the Y direction is set to about 10 °. Here, the case where the light L is reflected three times in the optical path L1 from the light source 10 to the object 100 and the optical path L2 from the object 100 to the lens optical system 22 will be described as an example. However, the number of reflections is not limited to this, and the light L is reflected at least twice (that is, at least once by the first reflection surface 32 and the second reflection surface 42) in the optical path L1 and the optical path L2. You can make it.

  FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing a manner of reflection of light L on the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42. As described above, in this example, the light L from the light source 10 is transmitted three times in the order of the position R1 on the second reflecting surface 42, the position R2 on the first reflecting surface 32, and the position R3 on the second reflecting surface 42. After reflection, the object 100 is irradiated toward the object 100 (optical path L1). The light L is irradiated toward the object to be observed 100 and then passes through the periphery of the object to be observed 100, and the position R4 on the first reflecting surface 32, the position R5 on the second reflecting surface 42, and the first Are reflected three times in the order of the position R6 on the reflecting surface 32, and then enter the lens optical system 22 of the imaging device 20 (optical path L2).

  As described above, since the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 are inclined by the angle θ with respect to the Y direction, the perpendicular (normal) 32a and the second reflecting surface 32a of the first reflecting surface 32 are provided. The perpendicular (normal line) 42a of the reflecting surface 42 is inclined by an angle θ with respect to the X direction. Then, the light L is alternately reflected by the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 and the distance between them is directed from the wide side to the narrow side, that is, from the light source 10 along the optical path L1 to the object 100 to be observed. The light L that travels decreases the incident angle and the reflection angle by 2θ (the sum of the inclination angle of the first reflection surface 32 and the inclination angle of the second reflection surface 42) for each reflection. In addition, the imaging device along the optical path L2 from the periphery of the object 100 to be observed, that is, the light L that is alternately reflected by the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 and the distance between the two is narrower and wider. The light L directed to 20 increases the incident angle and the reflection angle by 2θ (the sum of the inclination angle of the first reflection surface 32 and the inclination angle of the second reflection surface 42) for each reflection.

  That is, by arranging the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 so as to gradually approach each other toward the object 100 to be observed, the light L from the light source 10 is directed toward the object to be observed in the Y direction. It is possible to change (deflect) the traveling direction for each reflection while guiding the light beam, and as a result, the traveling direction of the light L can be finally set to the X direction. Further, the light L that has passed around the object to be observed 100 can be guided in the Y direction toward the imaging device 20 while changing its traveling direction for each reflection.

  In order to irradiate the observation object 100 with the light L from the X direction, the light L may be incident on the position R3 at the incident angle θ and reflected at the reflection angle θ. Therefore, in order to irradiate the observation object 100 from the X direction after the light L from the light source 10 is reflected three times, the light L from the light source 10 is incident on the position R1 at an incident angle 5θ (= θ + 2θ + 2θ). You can do it. Specifically, the light source 10 may be arranged so that the optical axis 10a intersects the second reflecting surface 42 at an angle 5θ at the position R1.

  Similarly, in order to receive the light L passing through the periphery of the object to be observed 100 and traveling in the X direction by the imaging device 20 and observe and image the object to be observed 100 from the X direction, it is reflected at the reflection angle 5θ at the position R6. What is necessary is just to make it the incident light L inject into the lens optical system 22 of the imaging device 20. Specifically, the imaging device 20 may be arranged so that the optical axis 20a intersects the first reflecting surface 32 at an angle 5θ at the position R6.

  FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating an image obtained by imaging the observation object 100 by the observation optical device 1. As described above, in this example, the object 100 is imaged by mainly receiving the light L irradiated from the X direction toward the object 100 and passing through the periphery of the object 100. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, the object to be observed 100 is captured as a clear contrast silhouette image in which the object 100 is projected as a dark region on the YZ plane. That is, according to the observation optical device 1, it is possible to extract the contour shape of the object 100 with high accuracy by general image processing.

  As described above, in the observation optical device 1, the light L is alternately reflected on the first reflection surface 32 and the second reflection surface 42 that are arranged so as to gradually approach each other toward the object 100 to be observed. An observation method for observing the object 100 from the X direction by irradiating light from the X direction while approaching the object 100 from the Y direction can be realized with a very simple and compact apparatus configuration. It has become.

  Furthermore, the observation optical device 1 reflects the light L at least twice in each of the optical path L1 and the optical path L2, thereby tilting the angle θ, that is, the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 with respect to the Y direction. An angle can be made into a value sufficiently smaller than before. For this reason, compared with the conventional apparatus which deflects light only once, the space which the member (the 1st reflective member 30 and the 2nd reflective member 40) which needs to be arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the to-be-observed object 100 occupies especially The range occupied in the X direction can be greatly reduced.

  FIGS. 3A to 3D are schematic views showing an example of use of the observation optical apparatus 1. According to the optical device for observation 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, even when the object to be observed 100 is present at the bottom 204 of the recess 202 of the sample 200, the first in the recess 202. If the reflecting member 30 and the second reflecting member 40 can be arranged, the object to be observed 100 can be observed from the direction (X direction) orthogonal to the depth direction (Y direction) of the recess 202. Yes.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the object to be observed 100 exists at the bottom 212 in the container 210, or as shown in FIG. Even when the observation object 100 is adjacent to the observation object 100 in the X direction, the observation optical device 1 can observe the observation object 100 from the X direction.

  In particular, in the observation optical device 1, the space occupied by the first reflecting member 30 and the second reflecting member 40 arranged in the vicinity of the object to be observed 100 as described above can be made smaller than before. Even in a narrow place or a place closer to the obstacle 220 or the like, the object to be observed 100 can be appropriately illuminated and observed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3D, even when the observation object 100 exists on the surface 232 of the wide sample 230, the observation optical device 1 is affected by the size of the sample 230. The object to be observed 100 can be observed from a direction parallel to the surface 232 (X direction).

  Next, examples of other forms of the observation optical device 1 will be described. FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which only the lens optical system 22 is provided in place of the imaging device 20. The observation optical device 1 is not limited to the one that images the object 100 to be observed, and includes, for example, a lens optical system 22 that includes an eyepiece lens 24 as shown in FIG. It may be configured to observe 100.

  FIG. 4B shows an example in which the length of the optical path L1 from the light source 10 to the object to be observed 100 and the length of the optical path L2 from the object to be observed 100 to the lens optical system 22 are made different. FIG. The observation optical device 1 is not limited to the optical path L1 and the optical path L2 having the same length. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the number of reflections in the optical path L1 and the optical path L2 is different. Thus, the optical path lengths may be different.

  In this way, by appropriately adjusting the optical path lengths of the optical path L1 and the optical path L2, the illumination range by the light source 10 can be adjusted without being affected by the performance of the light source 10 and the imaging apparatus 20 (lens optical system). It is possible to set appropriately according to the imaging range (observation range by the lens optical system 22). In addition, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of arrangement of the light source 10 and the imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22).

  Although illustration is omitted, the number of reflections is not varied, but the distance between the light source 10 and the first reflection surface 32 or the second reflection surface 42, and the imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22). It goes without saying that the lengths of the optical path L1 and the optical path L2 may be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the first reflecting surface 32 or the second reflecting surface 42. Further, when the number of reflections in the optical path L1 and the optical path L2 is different, a part of the second reflecting member 40 is not cut out as in the example shown in FIG. 4B, but the second reflecting member 40 ( Alternatively, the light source 10 may be arranged at the same position as in the example of FIG. 4B by configuring a part thereof) from a half mirror.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views showing an example in which the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 are each divided into a plurality of regions. Each of the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 may be divided into a plurality of regions. In other words, a plurality of first reflection surfaces 32 and a plurality of second reflection surfaces 42 may be provided. In this way, by providing the first reflection surface 32 and the second reflection surface 42 only in the region necessary for the reflection of the light L, reflection of light unnecessary for observation can be suppressed. Therefore, the object 100 can be observed and imaged more clearly.

  Further, the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 may have different inclination angles for each region. In this case, as shown in FIG. A region may be provided in which the reflective surface 32 and the second reflective surface 42 are parallel to each other. Although not shown, a region where the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 gradually approach each other toward the opposite side of the object to be observed 100 may be provided. In other words, the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 only need to gradually approach each other toward the object 100 to be observed in at least a part of the region.

  As described above, the change in the traveling direction of the light L is appropriately adjusted by changing the inclination angles of the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 for each region (that is, for each reflection position of the light L). Therefore, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the light source 10 and the imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22) can be increased. In addition, since the guide distance of the light L in the Y direction can be adjusted to a necessary distance, it is particularly suitable when, for example, the object to be observed 100 present at the bottom of the deep hole is observed.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a plurality of first reflecting members 30 and a plurality of second reflecting members 40 are provided, so that a plurality of first reflecting surfaces 32 and a plurality of second reflecting members 40 are provided. Although two reflection surfaces 42 are provided, the first reflection surface 32 provided on one first reflection member 30 and the second reflection surface 42 provided on one second reflection member 40. May be divided into a plurality of regions by masking or the like, for example.

  Although not shown, the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 are not divided into a plurality of regions, but the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 are bent, respectively. Or you may make it change an inclination angle for every reflection position of the light L by comprising the 1st reflective surface 32 and the 2nd reflective surface 42 from a curved surface, respectively. Alternatively, only one of the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 may be provided.

  6A and 6B, a guidance auxiliary member 50 for guiding the light L is disposed between the light source 10 and the lens optical system 22 and the first reflection surface 32 and the second reflection surface 42. It is the figure which showed the example in the case of becoming. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the auxiliary reflecting member 52 is arranged as the guiding auxiliary member 50, or the optical fiber 54 is arranged as the guiding auxiliary member 50 as shown in FIG. 6B. The light L can be guided in a desired direction.

  Thereby, the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning of the light source 10 and the imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22) can be raised, and the versatility of the optical apparatus 1 for observation can be improved further. Moreover, the length of the optical path L1 and the optical path L2 can be adjusted. Needless to say, the guidance assisting member 50 may be disposed only in one of the optical path L1 and the optical path L2. Further, the auxiliary reflecting member 52 and the optical fiber 54 may be used in appropriate combination.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example in which observation and illumination of the object to be observed 100 are performed from the same side in the X direction. The observation optical device 1 is not limited to performing observation and illumination of the object to be observed 100 from the opposite side in the X direction as in the above example, and may be performed from the same side. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), the optical path L1 and the optical path L2 may be made to substantially coincide with each other via the half mirror 56 as the guidance assisting member 50, or as shown in FIG. 7 (b). As described above, the first reflecting member 30 or the second reflecting member 40 (or a part thereof) may be formed of a half mirror so that the optical path L1 and the optical path L2 are substantially matched. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, it goes without saying that the arrangement of the light source 10 and the imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22) may be interchanged.

  Thus, by arranging observation and illumination on the same side, it is possible to receive the light L reflected mainly on the surface of the observation object 100 and observe the observation object 100. That is, the examples shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B are particularly suitable when it is desired to observe the state of the surface of the object 100 to be observed.

  Although not shown, the light source 10 may be incorporated in the imaging device 20 or the lens optical system 22 as a coaxial epi-illumination device. In addition to the light source 10 that illuminates the object to be observed 100 from the opposite side to the observation, the light source 10 that illuminates from the same side as the observation may be provided, and the two light sources 10 may be used properly according to the purpose of observation. Furthermore, you may make it add the light source 10 which illuminates the to-be-observed object 100 from another direction.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example in which the object to be observed 100 is observed from a direction having an angle with respect to the X direction. The observation direction of the object to be observed 100 is not limited to the X direction, and may be a direction that forms a predetermined angle α with respect to the X direction, for example, as shown in FIGS. Similarly, the illumination direction of the object to be observed 100 is not limited to the X direction, and may be a direction that forms a predetermined angle α with respect to the X direction.

  That is, the observation optical device 1 may observe the object 100 from a direction other than the X direction. Further, by appropriately adjusting the angle α with respect to the X direction, for example, the influence of light reflection on the surface P and the surface of the object 100 can be reduced, and the object 100 can be observed and imaged more clearly. Become.

  Note that the value of the angle α can be adjusted by adjusting the positions of the light source 10 and the imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22) and the directions of the optical axes 10a and 20a. Further, the value of the angle α may be the same or different between the observation direction and the illumination direction. Further, only one of the observation direction and the illumination direction may be a direction having an angle with respect to the X direction.

  In addition, although illustration is omitted, the observation optical device 1 may include a control device that controls the operations of the light source 10 and the imaging device 20, and the imaging of the observation object 100 is automatically performed by the control device. It may be performed automatically. Further, the observation optical device 1 may include an image processing device that derives various parameters by performing known image processing on the captured image, and displays the captured image, the derived parameter, and the like. A display device may be provided.

  The observation optical device 1 includes a light source 10, an imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22), a first reflecting member 30, a second reflecting member 40, and the like supported by a single casing, a supporting member, and the like. The light source 10, the imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22), the first reflecting member 30, the second reflecting member 40, and the like may be individually provided by a plurality of mounts and support members. It may be supported by.

  The observation optical device 1 also includes a relative movement mechanism that changes the relative positions of the first reflecting member 30 and the second reflecting member 40 and the solid sample 300, and the first reflecting member 30 and the second reflecting member. You may provide the position adjustment mechanism etc. which change the relative position of the member 40, the light source 10, or the imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22). Moreover, it cannot be overemphasized that you may make it combine each form demonstrated based on FIGS.

  Next, the contact angle meter 2 including the observation optical device 1 will be described. The observation optical device 1 is for observing the observation object 100 from a direction substantially parallel to the plane P on which the observation object 100 exists, that is, observing the observation object 100 from the side. Since the object to be observed 100 can be illuminated from the side, it is particularly suitable as an optical device for a contact angle meter.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic views showing an example of the configuration of the contact angle meter 2 according to the present embodiment. The contact angle meter 2 measures the contact angle by imaging the liquid sample droplet 102 formed on the solid sample 300 from the side. As shown in these drawings, the contact angle meter 2 ejects a liquid sample in addition to the observation optical device 1 including the light source 10, the imaging device 20, the first reflecting member 30, and the second reflecting member 40. A discharge device 60 and a retracting device 70 for retracting the discharge device 60 are provided.

  The discharge device 60 discharges a liquid sample from above toward the solid sample 300, and forms a droplet 102 that becomes the observation object 100 on the measurement surface 302 of the solid sample 300. The discharge device 60 includes a tubular needle 62 together with a known structure such as a cylinder and a plunger, and forms a droplet 102 by discharging a predetermined amount of a liquid sample from a needle tip 62 a that is the tip of the needle 62. Further, the ejection device 60 is disposed at a position where the droplet 102 is formed between the first reflecting member 30 and the second reflecting member 40.

  The retracting device 70 has a known structure such as a motor and a rack and pinion, and moves the ejection device 60 in the Y direction so as to be close to and away from the measurement surface 302 of the solid sample 300. As shown in FIG. 9A, the retracting device 70 moves the ejection device 60 to move the needle tip 62a over the first reflecting member 30 and the second reflecting member, as shown in FIG. 40 between the measurement surfaces 302 of the solid sample 300. The retreating device 70 also moves the ejection device 60 to retract the ejection device 60 from the optical path L1 and the optical path L2, as shown in FIG.

  The ejection device 60 and the retracting device 70 are supported by a housing or a support member that is not shown in the same manner as the light source 10, the imaging device 20, the first reflecting member 30, and the second reflecting member 40. In this example, the observation optical apparatus 1 is configured to reflect the light L twice in the optical path L1 from the light source 10 to the droplet 102 and the optical path L2 from the droplet 102 to the light source 10. However, it goes without saying that the number of reflections of the light L in the optical path L1 or the optical path L2 may be three or more. Moreover, it cannot be overemphasized that each form demonstrated based on FIGS. 4-7 or these combination may be applied in the contact angle meter 2. FIG.

  Thus, by providing the observation optical device 1 in the contact angle meter 2, for example, when the measurement surface 302 is the bottom of the depression 304 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, It is possible to measure a contact angle even in a place where measurement with a conventional contact angle meter is difficult, and in particular, it is possible to measure a contact angle even in a narrower place than before. Further, by providing the contact angle meter 2 with the discharge device 60, the droplet 102 can be reliably and easily formed on the measurement surface 302 only by appropriately arranging the contact angle meter 2 and the solid sample 300. Is possible.

  Further, by providing the contact angle meter 2 with the retracting device 70, the liquid L can be reliably and easily formed, but the light L is prevented from being blocked by the ejection device 60 when the contact angle is measured. It becomes possible to do. As a result, the droplet 102 can be imaged under a sufficient amount of light without being affected by the performance of the light source 10 and the imaging device 20 (lens optical system), and an image with clear contrast can be obtained. It is possible to measure the contact angle.

  Note that a controller for controlling the operations of the light source 10, the imaging device 20, the ejection device 60, and the retracting device 70 may be provided in the contact angle meter 2. The contact angle may be automatically measured by the control device. It may be. The contact angle meter 2 may be provided with an image processing device that performs known image processing on the captured image of the droplet 102 to derive the contact angle and various other parameters. You may make it provide the contact angle meter 2 with the display apparatus which displays the parameter etc. which were performed.

  The contact angle meter 2 includes a light source 10, an imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22), a first reflecting member 30, a second reflecting member 40, a discharge device 60, a retracting device 70, and the like in a single housing and support. The light source 10, the imaging device 20 (lens optical system 22), the first reflecting member 30, the second reflecting member 40, and the ejection device 60 may be supported by a member or the like. Further, the retracting device 70 and the like may be individually supported by a plurality of mounts, support members, and the like.

  In addition, a relative movement mechanism that changes the relative positions of the first reflecting member 30 and the second reflecting member 40 and the solid sample 300, the first reflecting member 30 and the second reflecting member 40, the light source 10, or imaging. You may make it provide the contact angle meter 2 with the position adjustment mechanism etc. which change the relative position of the apparatus 20 (lens optical system 22). Further, the light source 10 that illuminates from the same side as the imaging of the droplet 102 and the light source 10 that illuminates the droplet 102 from other directions may be added to the contact angle meter 2.

  Further, the retracting device 70 may be one that moves the ejection device 60 in a direction other than the Y direction, such as the Z direction, to retract from the optical paths L1 and L2, or rotates the ejection device 60 to rotate the optical path L1. And may be retreated from L2. Further, the retracting device 70 may be a device that moves only a part of the ejection device 60 such as the needle 62 of the ejection device 60 and retracts it from the optical paths L1 and L2. Alternatively, the droplet 102 may be manually formed on the measurement surface 302 using an existing syringe or the like, and the discharge device 60 and the retracting device 70 may be omitted. That is, the observation optical device 1 can function as the contact angle meter 2 by itself.

  As described above, the observation optical device 1 according to the present embodiment is arranged toward each other and has the first reflecting surface 32 having regions that gradually approach each other toward the object 100 side. And the second reflecting surface 42 and the light L emitted from the second reflecting surface 42 and the second reflecting surface 42 are reflected at least once by the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 and then irradiated to the object 100 to be observed. The light source 10 and the lens optical system 22 disposed at a position where the light L irradiated toward the object 100 is incident after being reflected at least once by the first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42. And.

  With such a configuration, the object 100 can be observed even in a narrower place. That is, it is possible to observe the observation object 100 from an appropriate direction while appropriately illuminating the observation object 100, while the space occupied by the members arranged in the vicinity of the observation object 100 is made smaller than before.

  The first reflecting surface 32 and the second reflecting surface 42 are arranged on both sides of the first direction (X direction) with respect to the object 100 to be observed, and are in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The region gradually approaches each other as it goes toward the object 100 along the (Y direction). By doing in this way, the light source 10 and the lens optical system 22 can be appropriately arranged even when the object to be observed 100 present in a narrower place is observed from a direction that has been difficult in the past.

  Further, the observation optical device 1 may include an imaging device 20 that images the observation object 100 via the lens optical system 22. By doing in this way, since it becomes possible to acquire the image of the to-be-observed object 100 which exists in a narrower place, more information regarding the to-be-observed object 100 can be acquired.

  The light source 10 may be disposed at a position where the light L emitted from the light source 10 enters the lens optical system 22 after passing through the periphery of the object 100 to be observed. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to acquire the silhouette image of the observed object 100 even in a narrower place, so that the contour shape of the observed object 100 can be extracted with higher accuracy.

  The light source 10 may be disposed at a position where the light L emitted from the light source 10 is incident on the lens optical system 22 after being reflected by the surface of the object 100 to be observed. By doing in this way, the surface state etc. of the to-be-observed object 100 can be observed even in a narrower place.

  Further, the contact angle meter 2 according to the present embodiment includes an observation optical device 1. By doing so, it is possible to measure the contact angle by imaging the droplet 102 even in a narrower place. That is, the contact angle can be measured by observing the droplet 102 from an appropriate direction while appropriately illuminating the droplet 102, while reducing the space occupied by the member disposed in the vicinity of the droplet 102 more than the conventional space.

  In addition, the contact angle meter 2 includes a discharge device 60 that discharges a liquid sample to form a droplet 102 to be an object to be observed 100, an optical path L1 from the light source 10 to the droplet 102, and a lens optical system from the droplet 102. And an evacuation device 70 for evacuating the ejection device 60 from the optical path L <b> 2 toward the image 22. By doing in this way, the droplet 102 can be appropriately formed by the discharge device 60 even in a narrower place, and this can be imaged to measure the contact angle. Furthermore, the retracting device 70 can prevent the discharge device 60 from obstructing the measurement of the contact angle.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the observation optical device and the contact angle meter of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various types can be used without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, changes can be made.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the X direction is the horizontal direction and the Y direction is the vertical direction has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the X direction and the Y direction are other directions. There may be. Further, the object to be observed 100 is not limited to the one existing on the surface P, and may be one that floats in a gas or liquid, for example.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 1st reflective member 30 was provided with the 1st reflective surface 32, and the 2nd reflective member 40 was provided in the 2nd reflective surface 42, the example was shown. The reflective surface 32 and the second reflective surface 42 may be provided on the inner surface of one member, for example. Further, the lens optical system 22 is not limited to the one that enlarges and forms an image of the object 100 to be observed, and may be any one that adjusts the incident light L to a state in which the object 100 can be observed. .

  In addition, the functions and effects shown in the above embodiment are merely a list of the most preferable functions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the functions and effects of the present invention are not limited to these.

  The observation optical device and contact angle meter according to the present invention can be used in the fields of various observations and various measurements.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical device for observation 2 Contact angle meter 10 Light source 20 Image pick-up device 22 Lens optical system 32 1st reflective surface 42 2nd reflective surface 60 Discharge device 70 Retraction device 100 Observation object 102 Droplet L Light L1 Observation from light source Optical path to the object L2 Optical path from the observed object to the lens optical system

Claims (7)

A first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface that are disposed toward each other and have regions that gradually approach each other toward the object side;
A light source disposed at a position at which the light emitted from itself is reflected toward the object to be observed after being reflected at least once by the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface;
A lens optical system disposed at a position where the light irradiated toward the object to be observed is incident on the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface after being reflected at least once. And
Optical device for observation. The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are respectively disposed on both sides in a first direction with respect to the object to be observed, and the object to be observed along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. It is characterized by having regions that gradually approach each other toward the object side,
The optical device for observation according to claim 1. It comprises an imaging device that images the object to be observed through the lens optical system,
The optical device for observation according to claim 1 or 2. The light source is disposed at a position where light emitted from the light source enters the lens optical system after passing through the periphery of the object to be observed.
The observation optical device according to claim 1. The light source is disposed at a position where light emitted from the light source is incident on the lens optical system after being reflected by the surface of the object to be observed.
The observation optical device according to claim 1. The observation optical device according to claim 3 or 4 is provided.
Contact angle meter. An ejection device for ejecting a liquid sample to form droplets to be the object to be observed;
An optical path from the light source toward the droplet, and a retracting device that retracts the ejection device from an optical path from the droplet toward the lens optical system.
The contact angle meter according to claim 6.

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