Nikon Corporation

Kumiko Otaki

Tatsuro Otaki

In the transmission illumination type differential interference microscope, light in a given polarized state is separated by a first birefringent optical member into two linearly polarized light components L and L and both of the polarized light components are converted into parallel light by means of a condenser lens . The object being examined is illuminated by the polarized light components which are then converted into convergent light by an objective . Both of the polarized light components are then synthesized into a single light beam by a second birefringent optical element and both of the polarized light components of the synthesized light beam are caused to undergo polarization interference by an analyzer so that an enlarged image of the object being examined , is formed. At least one of the first and second birefringent optical members and is formed by joining one isotropic prism or , consisting of an isotropic optical material, and one birefringent prism or , consisting of a birefringent optical material.

Transmission illumination type differential interference microscope

A reflected light differential interference microscope (100) having a birefringent optical member (B). Each birefringent optical member has a ray-separating plane (Q.sub.B) that intersects the optical axis (A2') at an intersection point (P.sub.B) at a first angle (.beta.) with respect to a reference plane (P.sub.2) oriented perpendicular to the optical axis. The microscope further includes an objective lens (113) having a focal point (F.sub.113) along the optical axis. The birefringent optical member is designed so as to be movable along a line oriented at a second angle (.gamma.) with respect to the reference plane in a manner that maintains the intersection point and the focal point substantially coincident. This allows for the color of the image (115) to be varied without degrading the image quality.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Kumiko Otaki