Illuminating light selection device for a microscope

• US 6,347,009 B1
• Filed: 08/25/1999
• Issued: 02/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Takeuchi, Atsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US09/382,460
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 359/385, 359/388, 359/389, 359/390
• US Class Current: 359/385
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/082 for incident illumination only
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/16 adapted for ultraviolet illumination ; Fluorescence microscopes G02B21/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/18 Arrangements with more than one light path, e.g. for comparing two specimens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/24 Base structure

Abstract

A microscope having a device for selectable illumination for observation of a specimen by ultraviolet light, DUV light, or by visible light, and which can keep ultraviolet light and visible light separate. The microscope includes a visible light illuminating system to illuminate a specimen with visible light, an ultraviolet light illuminating system to illuminate the specimen with ultraviolet light, a visible light observation system to observe the specimen illuminated by the visible light illuminating system, and an ultraviolet light observation system to observe the specimen by the ultraviolet light illuminating system. When a half mirror is arranged in the visible light illuminating system light path, a second illuminating light selection member screens the incidence of ultraviolet light into the visible light illuminating system and is moved into the visible light illuminating system light path, and when a fully reflecting mirror is arranged in the ultraviolet light illuminating system light path, a first illuminating light selection member screens the incidence of visible light into the ultraviolet light illuminating system moves into the ultraviolet light illuminating system light path.

Claims

1. A microscope device, comprising:

a visible light illuminating system to illuminate a specimen with visible light;

an ultraviolet light illuminating system to illuminate the specimen with ultraviolet light;

a visible light observation system to observe the specimen illuminated by the visible light illuminating system;

an ultraviolet light observation system to observe the specimen illuminated by the ultraviolet light illuminating system;

a first optical member to guide visible light to the specimen, which visible light is reflected from the specimen, and to guide the light reflected from the specimen to the visible light observation system;

a first illuminating light selection member to screen the ultraviolet light observation system from incidence of visible light;

a second optical member to guide ultraviolet light to the specimen, which ultraviolet light is reflected from the specimen, and to guide the light reflected from the specimen to the ultraviolet light observation system; and

a second illuminating light selection member to screen the visible light observation system from incidence of ultraviolet light,

wherein the first optical member and the first illuminating light selection member are respectively selectively capable of arrangement in the visible light illuminating system light path,

the second optical member and the second illuminating light selection member are respectively selectively capable of arrangement in the ultraviolet light illuminating system light path,

the second illuminating light selection member moves to the ultraviolet light illuminating system light path in response to the first optical member being arranged in the visible light illuminating system light path, and

the first illuminating light selection member moves to the visible light illuminating system light path in response to the second optical member being arranged in the ultraviolet light illuminating system light path.

2. A microscope device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a prohibiting device to prohibit the incidence of ultraviolet light into the visible light observation system when observing the specimen using the visible light observation system.

3. A microscope device as recited in claim 2, wherein the prohibiting device comprises a shutter arranged in the ultraviolet light illuminating system light path to block the ultraviolet light.

4. A microscope device as recited in claim 3, wherein the prohibiting device comprises a light screening member which is moved to the ultraviolet light illuminating system light path when the specimen is observed using the visible light observation system.

5. A microscope device, comprising:

a visible light illuminating system to illuminate a specimen with visible light;

an ultraviolet light illuminating system to illuminate the specimen with ultraviolet light;

a visible light observation system to observe the specimen illuminated by the visible light illuminating system;

an ultraviolet light observation system to observe the specimen illuminated by the ultraviolet light illuminating system;

a first optical member to guide visible light to the specimen, which visible light is reflected from the specimen, and to guide the light reflected from the specimen to the visible light observation system;

a first illuminating light selection member to screen the ultraviolet light observation system from incidence of visible light;

a second optical member to guide ultraviolet light to the specimen, which ultraviolet light is reflected from the specimen, and to guide the light reflected from the specimen to the ultraviolet light observation system; and

a second illuminating light selection member to screen the visible light observation system from incidence of ultraviolet light,

wherein the first optical member and the first illuminating light selection member are respectively selectively capable of arrangement in the visible light illuminating system light path,

the second optical member and the second illuminating light selection member are respectively selectively capable of arrangement in the ultraviolet light illuminating system light path,

the first optical member and the second illuminating light selection member are integrally formed, and

the second optical member and the first illuminating light selection member are integrally formed.

6. A microscope device as recited in claim 5, further comprising a prohibiting device to prohibit the incidence of ultraviolet light into the visible light observation system when observing the specimen using the visible light observation system.

7. A microscope device as recited in claim 6, wherein the prohibiting device comprises a shutter arranged in the ultraviolet light illuminating system light path to block the ultraviolet light.

8. A microscope device as recited in claim 7, wherein the prohibiting device comprises a light screening member which is moved to the ultraviolet light illuminating system light path when the specimen is observed using the visible light observation system.