Optical: systems and elements – Compound lens system – Microscope
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-17
2003-09-30
Robinson, Mark A. (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Compound lens system
Microscope
C359S383000, C359S804000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06628459
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2000-117739, Apr. 19, 2000; No. 2000-117740, Apr. 19, 2000; No. 2001-055815, Feb. 28, 2001; and No. 2001-110469 Apr. 9, 2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a focus stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing a focused state of an optical apparatus, such as a microscope.
2. Description of the Background Art
Generally, a sample observation is carried out with the use of a microscope. This sample observation is made as follows. An observation sample is placed on a microscope stage and an objective lens is moved closer to the observation sample. By doing so, an observation spot of the observation sample is observed under a magnified state.
In this case, an objective lens has its focal depth decreased as the magnifying power becomes higher. It is, therefore, difficult to achieve a focus setting between the objective lens and the observation sample. Further, if the distance between the objective lens and the observation sample minutely varies, defocusing occurs between the focal point position of the objective lens and the observation sample due to a variation of the minute distance, so that the quality of the observation image is greatly degraded.
On the other hand, an apparent position between the objective lens and the observation sample is very closer to each other. By the way, there exists a mechanical coupling length between the objective lens and the observation sample. This mechanical coupling length is constituted by many mechanical component parts present between the objective lens and the observation sample. The mechanical coupling length is provided by the length over which, for example, a microscope frame, objective lens moving mechanism, objective lens mounting revolver are passed. Therefore, the length is very long because many mechanical components are interposed.
These mechanical component parts are liable to be varied in their dimensions due to a temperature variation involved.
Further, the greater the number of the mechanical component parts the greater the mechanical coupling length involved. The microscope is easily affected by a vibration and the vibration amplitude becomes greater.
If, therefore, the ambient temperature varies due to, for example, the turning ON/OFF of an illumination, internal power supply, etc., as well as the operation of an air conditioning equipment, then there arises a variation in the dimensions of mechanical component parts in the microscope. Even if, therefore, the focal setting of the objective is made relative to the observation sample, the distance between the objective lens and the observation sample greatly varies due to the above-mentioned dimensional variation and there occurs a defocusing.
Further, under a somewhat smaller external vibration, a greater vibration amplitude is involved and a distance between the objective lens and the sample varies, thus resulting in an out-of-focus state.
Heretofore, various kinds of autofocusing mechanisms have been considered to compensate such defocusing. These autofocusing mechanisms require a complex mechanical/electrical mechanism and control system. For this reason, the resultant apparatus becomes bulkier and expensive. Further, another microscope is known in which, like a fluorescent observation, the brightness is extremely darker at a time of observation. To such a microscope it is originally difficult to apply the above-mentioned autofocusing mechanism.
The following technique is disclosed in JPN PAT APPLN KOKAI Publication No. 9-120030. In this technique, a stage is provided through a rack and drive gears and it is driven in the optical axis direction of the objective lens. Between the gears and the stage, at least two rods are inserted. These rods are different in their thermal expansion coefficients and configured such that the direction of the thermal expansion coefficient of one rod acts in a direction opposite to that of the other rod. By doing so, defocusing is compensated.
In such a technique, the rods are arranged within the microscope body and a time is taken until the temperature is compensated under a variation of the ambient temperature. For this reason, there is a risk that, when the sample is observed, its operation, efficiency will be lowered. Further, since the rods are interposed, the mechanical coupling length becomes greater and its structure is liable to be affected from the external vibration. It is, therefore, necessary to remodel the microscope itself.
In the case where a living cell, etc., is observed as a target object, only a periphery side of the observation sample is sometimes warmed by a warmer. However, it is not possible to compensate a temperature drift involved.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly the object of the present invention to provide a focus stabilizing apparatus which can make a focus setting of an objective lens relative to an observation sample under a stable way without being adversely influenced from a variation in the ambient temperature.
According to a main aspect of the present invention, a focus stabilizing apparatus is provided which comprises an objective lens arranged opposite to a observation sample, and position adjusting means provided at an outer periphery of the objective lens and adapted to move the observation sample in an optical axis direction to set a focal point of the objective lens to the observation sample.
According to a main aspect of the present invention, a focus stabilizing apparatus is provided which comprises an objective lens arranged opposite to the observation sample, a stage so provided as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the objective lens, a sample base placed on the stage to retain the observation sample, position adjusting means provided at an outer periphery of the objective lens and adapted to move the observation sample in an optical axis direction through the sample base to set a focal point of the objective lens to the observation sample, and elastic means provided on the stage and so set through the sample base as to have a low rigidity in the optical axis direction of the objective lens and a high rigidity in a moving direction of the stage.
According to a main aspect of the present invention, a focus stabilizing apparatus is provided which comprises an objective lens arranged opposite to an objection lens, a stage so provided as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the objective lens, a sample base placed on the stage to retain the observation sample, and position adjusting means provided at an outer periphery of the objective lens and adapted to move the observation sample in an optical axis direction of the objective lens through the sample base to set a focal point of the objective lens to the observation sample, wherein the position adjusting means has a fixing base for fixing the objective lens, a sample retaining base for placing the observation sample thereon, and an operation ring threadably inserted over the fixing base and, by being rotated relative to the fixing base, moving in the optical axis direction of the objective lens and moving the sample retaining base in the optical axis direction of the objective lens to adjust a relative distance between the observation sample and the objective lens.
According to a main aspect of the present invention, a focus stabilizing apparatus is provided which comprises an objective lens arranged opposite to an observation sample, a stage so provided as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the objective lens, a sample base placed on the stage to retain the observation sample, position adjusting means provided at an outer periphery of the objective lens to move the observation sample in the optical axis direction of the objective lens through the sample base to set a focal point of the obje
Fineman Lee
Frishauf Holtz Goodman & Chick P.C.
Olympus Optical Co,. Ltd.
Robinson Mark A.
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