JPS62247319A - Method and apparatus for image forming for substance showing optical activity - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove mottled pattern in an image perfectly, remove bright field contrast without making manual adjustment and make it possible to observe change of polarization characteristic of a body in a short time by driving an electro-optical modulator by AC signals. CONSTITUTION:Square wave signals are outputted from an AC power source 25, and an electro-optical modulator 23 used for control of the state of polarization in a polarization microscope is driven by the square wave output. An image obtained by the polarization microscope 13 is converted to electric signals by a video camera 15, and further converted to digital signals by an A/D converter 27. A distributor 29 sends data signals of a frame to the first frame memory section 31 when the electro-optical light modulator 23 is in a state of polarization and sends signals of the frame to the second frame memory section 33 when the electro-optical light modulator is in other state of polarization. The third frame memory section 35 calculates and processes the difference ratio of output of memory sections 31 and 33, or respective integration and finite difference. Thereby, both mottled pattern and bright field contrast are removed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming method and apparatus for an optically active substance that forms an image of a sample by utilizing its optical properties such as polarization and refraction. .

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in order to inspect various characteristics and properties of a sample, a microscope and a video camera, etc. were combined, and the optical image obtained by the microscope was converted into an electrical image by the video camera, etc., and observed on a video monitor. In this case, the microscope is used for researching samples such as various tissue fibers and skeletons, or for analyzing cell division mechanisms by observing the birefringence of chromosomes, etc. A polarizing microscope is used.

When using this polarizing microscope, in order to improve its sensitivity, it is necessary to eliminate the cross pattern that results from the difference in optical characteristics due to the difference in the area through which the light passes through the lens. Although it is extremely rare, it is common practice to provide one polarization adjuster for each of the and condensing lenses.

Furthermore, in order to improve resolution, contrast, image fidelity, etc. without using a polarization adjuster, it is also possible to use a polarization microscope with an iris diaphragm and a compensator, and a video camera with a gain control circuit and a DC regeneration circuit. It is being carried out,
In this case, first set the gain of the video camera and the clamp level of the DC regeneration circuit to the lowest values, then partially close the iris diaphragm of the polarizing microscope, and set the compensator to approximately the same bias retardage as the sample. Set it in the positive or negative direction by an equal amount, open the diaphragm to the maximum working aperture of the microscope objective, and adjust the compensator to approximately λ/9 to
A bias letter silane of λ/4 is set, and the gain and clamp level of the DC reproduction circuit are increased to optimally adjust the contrast of the image displayed on the video monitor. Here, the bias retardage of the compensator is set to λ/9 to λ/4 because it can be seen that the difference between the brightness of the background and the sample increases with the setting value in this range. Because it was served. When observing a sample inspected with such high bias retardation, it may not be possible to see it due to the background brightness level, but the gain of the video camera and the clamp level of the DC regeneration circuit must be adjusted. When raised, an image with extremely low contrast can be displayed on a video monitor.

In addition, in order to remove mottling that occurs under high gain due to untreatable dirt or defects on the lens, various mottling patterns are stored in the video frame memory and this pattern is subtracted to create a clear image. Statues are being made.

Furthermore, in order to eliminate the so-called bright field contrast, which is caused by absorption, scattering, refraction, etc. within the scratch and occurs even when there is no polarizing object, the compensator is manually set to +20@, for example, and the gain obtained at this time is The set value of the opposite sign -2
It has been proposed to use a video frame memory for subtraction from the image obtained by manually setting it to 0°.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, a polarization adjuster for increasing the sensitivity of a polarization microscope is extremely difficult to manufacture and therefore expensive.
The method using a video camera having a gain control circuit and a DC regeneration circuit is extremely troublesome to adjust. Furthermore, the method of storing various mottled patterns in the video frame memory and subtracting these patterns cannot always adequately correspond to the various mottled patterns that occur in reality, and cannot be called perfect. Setting the compensator to the opposite sign to eliminate bright field contrast requires setting the compensator manually, takes time to adjust, and makes it difficult to observe changes that occur in the object under test over a short period of time. I can't.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems. It completely eliminates the mottled pattern inside the scratch, eliminates bright field contrast without manual adjustment, and eliminates changes in the polarization properties of objects within a short time. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for forming an image of a substance exhibiting optical activity that can be observed.

[Means for solving problems]

To this end, the method and apparatus for forming an image of an optically active substance according to the present invention repeatedly and continuously change the polarization state of a polarized beam between a first state and a second state using an AC-driven electro-optic modulator. A polarizing microscope that converts images generated in each polarization state into electrical signals, performs arithmetic processing on the obtained image signals to form an image, and has an electro-optic light modulation device, and an electro-optic light modulation device. An AC power supply that drives the polarization microscope with AC power to repeatedly and continuously change the polarization state of the light passing through the polarization microscope between the first state and the second state, and an AC power supply that converts the optical image into an electrical signal to generate an electronic image. an electronic imaging means for obtaining;
first and second frame memory units to which the output of the electronic image forming means is input and store a first image signal in a first polarization state and a second image signal in a second polarization state, respectively;
11. A video frame memory unit including a third frame memory unit that performs arithmetic processing on the second image signal to generate a third image signal; a control device that controls the operation of the video frame memory unit; and a control device that controls the operation of the video frame memory unit; It is characterized by comprising a synchronizing means for synchronizing the operation of the frame memory section, and a monitor device for displaying the output of the video frame memory section.

[Effect]

The method and apparatus for forming an image of an optically active substance according to the present invention include:
The polarization state of the polarized beam is repeatedly and continuously changed between the first state and the second state using an AC-driven electro-optic modulator, and the image generated in each polarization state is converted into an electrical signal. By processing the image signals to form the image, mottled patterns and bright field contrast are simultaneously removed from the final image. The arithmetic processing of the image signal includes subtracting the image in the first or second polarization state from the image in the second or first polarization state, calculating the ratio of the two images or integrating each, and calculating the difference. The polarizing microscope used may operate in birefringence, optical rotation, linear polarization, circular polarization, optical path difference, optical path length gradient, or fluorescence polarization mode.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of image formation of an optically active substance according to the present invention. In FIG. 0, 11 is an image forming device, 13 is a polarizing microscope, 15 is a video camera, and 17 is a video frame memory device. , 19 is an electronic computer, 21 is a recording device, 23 is an electro-optical light modulator, 25 is an AC power supply, 27 is an A/D converter, 29 is a distribution device, 31 is a first frame memory, 33 is a second frame Memory, 35 is the third
Frame memory, 37 is a control device, 39 is a synchronization circuit, 4
1 is a D/A converter, and 43 is a monitor.

Next, the operation will be described. A rectangular wave signal is output from the AC power supply 25, and the electro-optic light modulator 23 used for adjusting the polarization state WW in the polarization U mirror is driven by this rectangular wave output. Therefore, the polarized light that irradiates the sample in the polarizing microscope 13 in one half cycle takes on a certain polarization state, and the polarized light that irradiates the sample on the other half cycle takes on another polarization state. This 2
The two polarization states and the angular difference in the plane of polarization in each polarization state depend on the type of material in the electro-optic light modulator and the amplitude of the drive signal, and the angular difference in the plane of polarization in each polarization state is For example, in birefringence, optical rotation, interference, and fluorescence polarization modes, the electro-optic light modulator 23 is selected depending on the specific optical properties of the object.
In the linear and circular polarization modes, the electro-optic light modulator 23 is driven to produce a retardation of ±λ/4.

The image obtained by the polarizing microscope 13 is converted into an electric signal by the video camera 15, and converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 27. In place of this video camera, a two-axis laser scanning device with photoelectron doubling pink-up, -
A/D may be a one-dimensional laser scanning device, two-dimensional CCD or CID camera, etc. combined with a dimensional sensor array.
The D-converted digital signal is applied to a distribution device 29, and when the electro-optic light modulator 23 is in a certain polarization state, the distribution device 29 sends the frame data signal to the first frame memory section 31, and the electro-optic When the optical modulator 23 is in another polarization state, the signal of the frame is sent to the second frame memory section 3.
Send to 3. The third frame memory section 35 calculates the difference, ratio, or integration and difference between the outputs from the respective memory sections 31 and 33. This process is selectively executed depending on the optical properties of the sample to be inspected and its research purpose.

As a result of such arithmetic processing in the third frame memory section, both the mottled pattern and the bright field contrast are removed. The details will be described later.

The control device 37 controls the entire operation of the video frame memory device 17, and the synchronization circuit 39 controls the AC power supply 25 and the distribution device 2.
9 are synchronized to send the output image of the polarizing microscope 13 in a certain polarization state to the first frame memory section 31, and to send it to the second frame memory section 33 in other polarization states.

The output of the third frame memory section 35 is sent to the D/A converter 41.
The signal is converted into an analog signal and displayed on the monitor 43. The output of the third frame memory section 35 may be sent to the computer 19 for storage, and the image displayed on the monitor 43 is also stored in the storage device 21.

The apparatus shown in this example can form a sample image when the contrast of the final image is due to polarization such as birefringence, optical rotation, linear polarization, circular polarization, optical path difference, optical path length gradient, or fluorescence polarization. Can be used for

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the optical system of the polarizing microscope 13 in the case of birefringence, and Fig. 3 is a wave vector diagram, in which (A) is a wave vector diagram in an electro-optic light modulator, and (B) is a wave vector diagram. is 4
Wave vector diagram for a quarter-wave plate. Figure (C) is a wave vector diagram of light passing through a quarter-wave plate in the absence of a sample. In Figure 0, 51 is a mercury arc lamp or laser, etc. 53 is a vertically oriented polarizer;
13-1 is a polarizing microscope, 55 is a condensing lens, 57 is an objective lens, 59 is a quarter wavelength plate fixed at an angle of 0°,
61 is an analyzer, and S is a sample.

Next, to explain the operation, since the polarizer 53 has a polarization plane in the y direction in FIG. si
nωt (a is the amplitude, ω is the angular velocity, and t is the time). When this light enters the electro-optic light modulator 23, which has an optical axis tilted at 45 degrees with respect to the plane of polarization incidence, as shown in the figure ( The component in the X-axis direction of A) receives retardation, and the component in the Y-axis direction becomes in phase with the incident light. This electro-optic light modulator 23 is a PLZT having a Pockels effect.
Ceraminks, lithium niobate crystals, KDP crystals, electrostrictive modulators, or other retardation modulators may be used, as well as a farade cell that imparts an angular rotation in the plane of polarization, followed by a 0° oriented quarter. A device equipped with a wavelength plate may also be used.Here, to generalize the discussion, if the value of the retardation by the electro-optic light modulator 23 is Δ, it becomes.Now, considering the state where there is no sample, X The axial component and Y-axis component are oriented to 0'' without any change.
The light is incident on the half-wave plate 59. Considering the X-axis direction component and the y-axis direction component in the quarter-wave plate 59, X component: -(sin(ωt±Δ) sinωt]Δ
Δ π +5in(ωt + −)) This can be expressed in a vector diagram as shown in FIG. 3(C), in which the plane of polarization is alternately rotated by Δ/2 symmetrically about the y-axis. When Δ is λ/9, that is, 40°, the polarization plane is polarized by ±20° in accordance with the modulation by the electro-optic light modulator 23. When this is passed through an analyzer 61 having a polarization angle of 90° with respect to the polarizer 53, only the X component of the vector shown in FIG. Become. That is, all backgrounds not caused by polarization are canceled and do not appear on the output side.

On the other hand, when a sample as a polarizing object is present, the symmetry is broken and a differential output is obtained.

In this way, the signal during the positive half of the cycle is sent to the first frame memory section 31, and the signal during the negative half cycle is sent to the second frame memory section 31.
Send to frame memory section 33, frame memory section 31
and 33 are subtracted from each other. If the output of the second frame memory section 33 is subtracted from the output of the first frame memory section 31, the output obtained from the third frame memory section 35 will produce an image with a certain contrast. On the other hand, when subtracted from the output of the first frame memory section 33, the image output obtained from the third frame memory section 35 produces an image with the opposite contrast. In both cases, the contrast due to birefringence is twice as high. mottled patterns, bright field contrast, and contrast due to other optical properties are removed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the optical system of the polarizing microscope 13 in the case of optical rotation. In FIG. 0, 13-2 is a polarizing microscope. The polarizing microscope 13-2 has a quarter wavelength plate 59 and an objective lens 57.
The electro-optic light modulator 23 and the condensing lens 5
It is different from the polarized light mirror 13-1 in FIG.

In the case of FIG. 4, as explained in FIGS. 2 and 3 assuming that there is no sample, the electro-optic light modulator 23
Applying a retardation silane of 9 produces an optical rotation of ±20°. This is because a quarter wave plate with an angle of 0@ converts a phase change into a rotation of the plane of polarization. The processing carried out in the video frame memory device 17 is similar to that of FIG. 2, but the final image has contrast due to optical rotation.

Incidentally, since the Faraday cell produces optical rotation equivalent to that generated by the electro-optic light modulator 23 having a quarter wavelength plate at the rear, the electro-optic light modulator 23 having the configuration shown in FIG.
A Faraday cell may be used instead of the quarter-wave plate 59.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the optical system of the polarizing microscope 13 in the case of linear dichroism, and Figure 6 is a diagram showing the wave vector in the optical system arrangement of Figure 5. In Figure 0, 13-3 is a diagram showing the polarizing microscope 13. It is. In the polarizing microscope 13-3, the quarter-wave plate 59 is placed in front of the electro-optic modulator 23 in an orientation of 45° instead of being placed behind the electro-optic light modulator 23 in an orientation of θ°. It differs from the polarizing microscope 13-2 shown in FIG. 4 in that it is installed as an attachment.

Next, to explain the operation, the polarizer 5 oriented in Oo
When the polarized light from 3 passes through the quarter-wave plate 59 installed with a direction of 45@ and the electro-optic light modulator 23 giving a retardation of ±λ/4, the component in the 45° direction is
It receives polarized light of ±λ to λ−Qorλ/2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the retardation is -λ/4, the polarized light from the polarizer 53 is not polarized and becomes a vector a in the y-axis direction, and when the retardation is +λ/4, it is directed in the X-axis direction. When the component and the Y-axis direction component are combined, the X-axis direction vector b is obtained. ! In other words, vectors a and b, which are perpendicular to each other in both polarization states, are obtained alternately, and the sample S is irradiated with these vectors. The image signal of the sample S obtained in this way is
The signals are sent to the first and second frame memory sections 31 and 33, respectively. The output images of the frame memory units 31 and 33 are subjected to mX or division in the frame memory unit 35, and an image of the contrast of the difference or ratio of polarization characteristics is obtained in the frame memory unit 35.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the optical system of the polarizing microscope 13 in the case of circular polarization. In FIG. 0, 13-4 shows a polarizing microscope. It differs from the polarization WJi mirror 13-3 in FIG. 5 in that it is

In the case of FIG. 7, the electro-optic light modulator 23 is arranged at 45°.
Then, by giving a retardation of ±λ/4 to the component in the 45'' direction, we create clockwise polarized light and counterclockwise polarized light, and irradiate this onto sample S and compare the images in both polarization states. may be the difference or ratio between the two polarization states, as in the case of FIG.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the optical system for determining the optical path difference due to refraction, and Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the action of the beam splitter and quarter-wave plate. In Fig. 0, 13-5 is a polarizing microscope; 63.65
indicates a birefringent beam splitter, and the polarizing microscope 13-5 is
A pair of birefringent beam splitters 63 and 65 are provided on the output and input surfaces of lenses 55 and 57, respectively, and a quarter-wave plate 67 is provided on the output surface of beam splitter 63. be.

Next, the operation will be explained. As shown in FIG. 9, the polarized light from the polarizer 53 is split by a beam splitter 63 into, for example, beams C and d that are orthogonal to each other.

Since the beams C and d are orthogonal to each other, when they pass through the quarter-wave plate 67, one becomes clockwise polarized while the other becomes counterclockwise polarized. The beam C is then passed through the sample S, and the beam d is used as a reference beam and is combined by a beam splitter 65. If there is no sample S that causes an optical path difference due to the difference in B refractive index, the synthesized light will be the first linearly polarized light, and the difference between the two output lights when a retardation of ±λ/9 is given to the modulator 23 is 0. It is. When a sample S exists, an optical path difference determined by its refractive index and thickness occurs, causing interference between beams C and d.The combined light generally becomes elliptically polarized light, which can be compared through an analyzer 61. An image that depends only on the optical path difference can be obtained.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an optical system for obtaining a contrast image based on an optical path length gradient. In FIG. 10, 13 to 6 are polarizing microscopes, and 69.71 is a prism. Polarizing microscope 13-
6 has a pair of -o11aston prisms 69 and 71, and each prism is arranged in front of the lens 55 and behind the lens 57.

Next, to explain the operation, light given a retardation of ±λ/9 is subtly divided by a prism 69. One of the 0-divided beams is passed through the sample S, and the other beam is used as a reference beam and combined by the prism 71. The minute optical path difference caused by S,
That is, an image resulting from the optical path length gradient is obtained.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the optical system of a polarizing microscope 13 for inspecting fluorescent polarized light. In FIG. 1, 13-7 is a polarizing microscope;
73 is an excitation wavelength filter, 75 is a dichroic beam splitter, 177 is a long pass filter, and 79 is a lens.

In the figure, light from a light source 51 includes a lens 55, an excitation wavelength filter 73, a polarizer 53, a quarter wavelength plate 59,
The light passes through the electro-optic light modulator 23, is deflected by the dichroic beam splitter 75, and hits the sample through the objective lens 57, causing the sample S to emit fluorescence. The long wavelength light of fluorescent light is produced by a dichroic beam splitter.
75, then passes through a long pass filter 77 and a lens 79, and an image is displayed by the video camera 15.

Electro-optic light modulator 23 changes the polarization direction between horizontal and vertical directions, similar to the linear polarization mode of operation of FIG. The video frame memory device 17 stores the intensity signals xp and lx obtained by the horizontally and vertically polarized light, respectively, and produces an output image expressed as rp-1x/Ip+Ix.

This makes it possible to quantitatively know the optical rotation state of the excited molecule.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, by driving an electro-optic modulator with an alternating current signal, it is possible to completely eliminate mottled patterns within a wound and to improve bright field contrast without manual adjustment. This makes it possible to observe changes in the polarization characteristics of an object within a short period of time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of image formation of an optically active substance according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the optical system of the polarizing microscope 13 in the case of birefringence, and FIG. 3 is a wave vector diagram. , Figure (A) is a wave vector diagram for an electro-optic light modulator, Figure (B) is a wave vector diagram for a quarter-wave plate, Figure (C) is a wave vector diagram for a quarter-wave plate without a sample. A wave vector diagram of light that encounters a wave plate, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the optical system of a polarizing microscope in the case of optical rotation, Figure 5 is a diagram showing the optical system of a polarizing U-reflection mirror in the case of linear dichroism, Figure 6 is a diagram showing wave vectors in the optical system arrangement shown in Figure 5;
The figure shows the optical system of a polarizing microscope in the case of circularly polarizing light, Figure 8 shows the optical system when determining the optical path difference due to refraction, and Figure 9 shows the optical system of a beam splitter and quarter-wave plate. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an optical system for obtaining a contrast image based on the optical path length gradient. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an optical system of a polarizing microscope for inspecting fluorescence polarization. 1
1... Image forming device, 13.13-1 to 13-7...
Polarizing microscope, 15... Video camera, 17... Video frame memory device, 19... Electronic computer, 21.
... Recording device, 23... Electro-optical luminosity! ji device,
25... AC power supply, 27... A/D converter, 29.
...Distribution device, 31...First frame memory, 33.
...Second frame memory, 35...Third frame memory, 37...Control device, 39...Synchronization circuit, 41...
...D/A converter, 43...Monitor, 51...Light source, 53...Polarizer, 55...Condensing lens, 57...
・Objective lens, 59... Quarter wavelength plate, 61...
Analyzer, S... Sample, 63.65... Birefringence beam splitter, 69.71... Prism, 73... Excitation wavelength filter, 75... Microink beam splinter, 77...・Long pass filter, 79...
Lens applicant Patent attorney representing Hamamatsu Photonics Co., Ltd.
Masanobu Hirukawa (C) Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 11 Procedural master's official document (method) July 4, 1985 1, Indication of case Patent application filed in 1988 No. 75380 3,
Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Patent applicant representative director Teruo Saba 4, agent June 4, 1986 (shipment date June 24, 1985) 6. Number of inventions increased by amendment None 8. Contents of amendment (1) Amend the application as shown in the attached sheet. (2) Correct the drawings in Figures 3(C), 4, and 5 as shown in the attached sheet. 9. List of attached documents (1) Statement of reasons 1 copy Figure 3 ('C) Figure 4 Figure 5 Procedural Correction: S: (Voluntary) March 17, 1988 1. Indication of the case 1988 Patent Application No. 75380 2,
Title of the invention: Image forming method and apparatus 3 of optically active substances; Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Patent applicant address: 1 person, 1126 Ichino-cho, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Name: Hamamatsu Photonics Co., Ltd. Representative Director: Teruo Ma (4) Agent: 5 Number of inventions to be increased by amendment None (Fig. 10, Fig. 11, 1 copy of the procedure manual) Procedural amendment mouth May 5, 1988 Day 1, Incident Display 1986 Patent Application No. 075380 2
, Title of the invention: Method and apparatus for forming an image of an optically active substance 3; Relationship with the amended case Patent applicant address: 1 person, 1126 Ichino-cho, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Name: Representative Director of Hamamatsu Photonics Co., Ltd. Written by Yoo Ma 4, Agent address: Azusa Patent Office, Time Building 2 (6th floor), 3-17-9 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Name (9249) Patent attorney: Masanobu Hirukawa 5
, Number of inventions increased by amendment None 6, Subject of amendment Title column of invention in procedure amendment entry submitted on March 17, 1985 Commissioner of the Patent Office Black 1) Akio Tono 1, Indication of case 1986 Patent Application No. 075380 2
, Title of the invention: Method and apparatus for forming an image of an optically active substance 3; Relationship with the amended case Patent applicant address: 1 person, 1126 Ichino-cho, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Name Hamamatsu Photonics Co., Ltd. Representative Director 1 Teruo Ma 4 Agent

Claims (9)

[Claims] (1) Using an AC-driven electro-optic modulator, the polarization state of the polarized beam is repeatedly and continuously changed between the first state and the second state, and the image generated in each polarization state is converted into an electrical signal. . A method for forming an image of a substance exhibiting optical activity, characterized in that image formation is performed by arithmetic processing of the obtained image signal. (2) A polarizing microscope having an electro-optic light modulator and an electro-optic light modulator are driven with alternating current, and the state of polarization of the light passing through the polarizing microscope is repeatedly and continuously changed to the first state and the second state. an alternating current power supply that changes the polarization, an electronic image forming means that converts the optical image into an electrical signal to obtain an electronic image, and an output of the electronic image forming means is inputted, and a first image signal in a first polarization state and first and second frame memory units each storing a second image signal in a second polarization state;
A video frame memory unit includes a third frame memory unit that generates a third image signal by processing the image signal of the video frame memory unit; a control device that controls the operation of the video frame memory unit; An imaging device for an optically active material, comprising a synchronizing means for synchronizing the operation and a monitor device for displaying the output of a video frame memory section. (3) The polarizing microscope includes a polarizer vertically oriented in front of the electro-optic light modulator, and a condenser lens and an objective lens provided behind the light modulator. An image forming device for an optically active substance according to claim 2, characterized by: (4) Image formation of an optically active substance according to claim 3, wherein the electro-optic light modulator is arranged to generate an image with contrast due to birefringence. Device. (5) An image of a substance exhibiting optical activity according to claim 3, wherein the electro-optic light modulator is arranged to generate an image having contrast due to linear polarization. Forming device. (6) An image of a substance exhibiting optical activity according to claim 3, wherein the electro-optic light modulator is arranged to generate an image having contrast due to circular polarization. Forming device. (7) Image formation of an optically active substance according to claim 3, wherein the electro-optic light modulator is arranged to generate an image with contrast due to an optical path difference. Device. (8) The electro-optic light modulator is arranged to generate an image having a contrast based on an optical path length gradient. Image forming device. (9) An image of an optically active substance according to claim 3, wherein the electro-optic light modulator is arranged to generate an image with contrast using fluorescence polarization. Forming device.