Japan Science and Technology Agency

Japan Science and Technology Corporation

Kazuhiko Kinoshita

Megumi Shio

Megumu Shio

Megamu Shio

An optical microscope of high stability such that problems wherein an image of a sample becomes unsharp during observation and movement (drift) of the object point (object) occurs are solved because the defocusing in the Z direction attributable to thermal expansion of the optical microscope is compensated. The optical instruments are characterized as comprising an optical system unit symmetrical to the optical axis in terms of weight and shape and a peripheral unit having a sample positioning mechanism is constituted by combining components having temperature dependences close to zero.

Focus stabilizing mechanism for microscopes and similar optical instruments

This invention provides a highly stable optical microscope that prevents drift and makes it possible to record images or take measurements for several hours with accuracy in the order of nanometers. The highly stable optical microscope of this invention includes the support structure () that accommodates and supports components including the optical imaging system, straight tube () that accommodates and supports components including the optical photometric system, and support structure () that accommodates and supports components including the illumination system. These support structures have a hollow pyramid or conical shape with a low center of gravity. The highly stable optical microscope of this invention features the objective lenses, imaging lenses, optical imaging and photometric systems that are mounted, forming a straight line, on the supporting structures that are symmetrical about the optical axis in both shape and mass.

High-stability optical microscope

The trapping force reinforcing optical system that enables optical tweezers to trap micro particles under water securely, without contact and non-invasively using a laser beam. The optics of the optical tweezers comprises an additional lens system movable along an optical axis, and a spherical aberration of a collector lens is controlled by moving the additional lens system along the optical axis.

Optical system for reinforcing optical tweezers capturing force

An optical microscope of high stability such that the image of a sample does not become obscure during observation, and no movement (drift) of an object point (object) occurs. The optical microscope is characterized by comprising vertical straight movement guide mechanisms (and) for an objective lens () of the microscope symmetrical to the optical axis, and fine adjustment units (and) for the objective lens.

Growing community of inventors

Aichi, Japan

Kazuhiko Kinoshita