Light control device and microscope device

Abstract

The present invention provides a dimming device and a microscope device that can achieve a desired dimming state while stabilizing the output light from the light source. [Solution] The dimming device 3 comprises an optical multiplexing unit 4 that combines laser light of different wavelengths emitted from multiple light sources and emits combined light, and a dimming unit 6 having a transmission region that dims and transmits the combined light to a desired degree of dimming, and a light-shielding region that blocks light. The dimming unit is positioned between the optical multiplexing unit and an output fiber 5 that guides the incident combined light from the optical multiplexing unit to a predetermined position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dimming device for dimming laser light and a microscope apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In microscope apparatuses, a technique has been proposed in which laser light with a weak light output is varied to irradiate a specimen with a simple configuration (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

[0004] A dimming device according to the present disclosure includes: an optical multiplexing unit that multiplexes laser light of different wavelengths emitted from a plurality of light sources and emits multiplexed light; and a dimming unit having a transmission region that transmits the multiplexed light after dimming it to a desired dimming degree, and a light blocking region that blocks light, wherein the dimming unit is disposed between an output fiber that guides the incident multiplexed light emitted from the optical multiplexing unit to a predetermined position, and the optical multiplexing unit.

[0005] A microscope apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: the dimming device; a scanning device that irradiates an object with the multiplexed light output from the dimming device along an arbitrary scanning path; and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light of the multiplexed light reflected from the object or fluorescence.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] It is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a confocal microscope. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the dimming device. [Figure 3] It is a plan view showing the configuration of a dimming unit. [Figure 4]This figure shows an example of the scanning path of an object and the resulting image. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] As shown in Figure 1, the microscope device 1 is a confocal microscope that generates an image by irradiating a laser beam onto the object T to be used as a specimen so that the focal point is at that position, and receiving the reflected light or fluorescence that has passed through a pinhole at a conjugate position to the focal point. A control device 10 that controls each component is communicated to the microscope device 1.

[0008] The microscope apparatus 1 includes a light source 2 that emits multiple laser beams having different wavelengths. The multiple laser beams of different wavelengths emitted from the light source 2 are incident on a dimming device 3. The dimming device 3 combines the multiple laser beams of different wavelengths to generate combined light, and dims and emits it. The dimming device 3 includes an optical multiplexing unit 4 that combines the multiple laser beams of different wavelengths and emits the combined light. The dimming device 3 may also include an output fiber 5 that guides the combined light emitted from the optical multiplexing unit 4 to a predetermined position. The output fiber 5 may be configured to be attachable by the user as appropriate.

[0009] The dimming device 3 is provided with a dimming unit 6 located in the optical path of the combined light between the optical multiplexer 4 and the output fiber 5, which transmits or blocks the combined light. In other words, the dimming unit 6 is positioned between the optical multiplexer 4 and the output fiber 5. The output fiber 5 is incident on the combined light adjusted by the dimming unit 6. The dimming unit 6 may also be positioned between the input fibers B1 to B6 and the optical multiplexer 4. The dimming unit 6 is rotationally driven by a drive unit 7. The drive unit 7 is controlled by a control device 10. The dimming unit 6 dims the combined light based on rotation. Note that the dimming unit 6 may dim the combined light based on a sliding method as well as rotation. The dimming unit 6 may dim the combined light by moving in any direction.

[0010] The multiplexed light emitted from the dimming device 3 is emitted as a point light source. The output end of the input fiber may also be used as a point light source. Alternatively, a first pinhole P1 may be provided at the output end of the dimming means, and the multiplexed light may pass through the first pinhole P1 and become a point light source. The multiplexed light emitted as a point light source passes through the first lens R1 and becomes parallel light, which is incident on the dichroic mirror D. The dichroic mirror D reflects the incident multiplexed light. The multiplexed light reflected by the dichroic mirror D is incident on a scanning device S equipped with, for example, a pair of galvanometer mirrors G1 and G2. The scanning device S is controlled by a control device 10. The control device 10 controls the directions of the pair of galvanometer mirrors G1 and G2 in conjunction to change the path of the multiplexed light.

[0011] The combined light is reflected by a pair of interconnected galvanometer mirrors G1 and G2 and emitted from the scanning device S. The combined light emitted from the scanning device S is incident on the objective lens R2. The objective lens R2 focuses the passed combined light so that the object T is at the focal point, illuminating a predetermined point. The scanning device S operates the pair of interconnected galvanometer mirrors G1 and G2 to scan the focal point of the combined light on the object T. The scanning device S may be composed of other devices besides the pair of galvanometer mirrors G1 and G2, as long as it is possible to illuminate the object with combined light output from a dimming device along any desired scanning path.

[0012] Object T, illuminated by multiplexed light, is excited and fluoresces. The fluorescence travels backward along the same optical path as the multiplexed light to the dichroic mirror D. The retrograde fluorescence passes through the dichroic mirror D and enters the focusing lens R3. The focusing lens R3 focuses the fluorescence at the confocal position of the objective lens R2. A second pinhole P2 is located at the confocal position of the objective lens R2.

[0013] At the out-of-focus point of the objective lens R2, the fluorescent component does not pass through the second pinhole P2. At the focal point of the objective lens R2, the fluorescence passes through the second pinhole P2 and enters the light-receiving section M.

[0014] The light-receiving unit M generates an electrical signal based on the incident reflected light. The light-receiving unit M may include a photomultiplier tube (PMT) that receives reflected light and converts it into photoelectrics. The light-receiving unit M is, for example, a photomultiplier tube and generates an electrical signal from photons. The light-receiving unit M transmits the generated electrical signal to the control device 10. The control device 10 arranges the electrical signals obtained from multiple scans in scanning order to generate an image F of the region including the object T and displays it on the display unit 30. The display unit 30 is composed of, for example, a display device capable of displaying images, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0015] The control device 10 includes a control unit 11 that integrates and controls the operation of each component and the display of the display unit, and a storage unit 12 that stores data and programs necessary for control. The control unit 11 is composed of, for example, at least one hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 11 may be implemented by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or by the cooperation of software and hardware.

[0016] The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as the HDD and / or semiconductor memory device of the storage unit 12 (a storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium), or it may be stored in a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the HDD or memory device of the storage unit 12 when the storage medium (non-transient storage medium) is mounted on a drive device.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the dimming device 3 is provided with an optical injection section 3A for receiving multiple laser beams from the light source 2. The optical injection section 3A may have multiple injection fibers B1 to B6 for each input light of a different wavelength. The injection fibers B1 to B6 may be configured to be attachable by the user as appropriate. The injection fibers B1 to B6 are made of optical fibers that guide the laser light. The light source 2 connects the dimming device 3 to the injection fibers B1 to B6. The light source 2 injects laser light of a different wavelength into each injection fiber B1 to B6. Each injection fiber B1 to B6 guides laser light of a different wavelength to the dimming device 3.

[0018] The incident fiber B1 guides and emits, for example, a first laser beam with a wavelength of 635 nm from the light source 2. The wavelength of the first laser beam may also be 640 nm. The incident fiber B2 guides and emits, for example, a second laser beam with a wavelength of 561 nm from the light source 2. The incident fiber B3 guides and emits, for example, a third laser beam with a wavelength of 514 nm from the light source 2.

[0019] For example, the incident fiber B4 guides and emits a fourth laser beam with a wavelength of 488 nm from the light source 2. For example, the incident fiber B5 guides and emits a fifth laser beam with a wavelength of 440 nm from the light source 2. The wavelength of the fifth laser beam may be 445 nm. For example, the incident fiber B6 guides and emits a sixth laser beam with a wavelength of 405 nm from the light source 2. The number of incident fibers and the wavelengths of the laser beams guided are examples, and the light incident section 3A may have different numbers of incident fibers, and each incident fiber may guide laser beams of different wavelengths.

[0020] A plurality of laser beams emitted from the plurality of incident fibers B1 to B6 enter the optical multiplexing section 4. The laser beams do not have to enter the optical multiplexing section from the plurality of incident fibers B1 to B6, and laser beams of different wavelengths emitted from a plurality of light sources may be multiplexed. The optical multiplexing section 4 is constituted by, for example, a multiplexing prism that multiplexes a plurality of laser beams of different wavelengths and emits the multiplexed light. The optical multiplexing section 4 is arranged such that an optical path C is formed in the longitudinal direction. On the side of one end 4A on the upstream (the -x direction in the drawing) side of the optical multiplexing section 4, the downstream end of the incident fiber B1 is arranged. The incident fiber B1 emits a first laser beam from its end, and causes the emitted first laser beam to enter the optical multiplexing section 4 on the side of the one end 4A. Between the end of the incident fiber B1 and the one end 4A, a collimator lens that adjusts the emitted first laser beam into a light beam parallel to the side of the one end 4A and causes the light beam to enter may be arranged. In the optical multiplexing section 4, an optical path C is formed from the side of the one end 4A to the side of the other end 4B on the downstream (the +x direction in the drawing) side.

[0021] On the side of one side surface 4C in the lateral direction of the optical multiplexing section 4, the downstream ends of the plurality of incident fibers B2 to B6 are arranged. The incident fiber B2 emits a second laser beam from its end, and causes the emitted second laser beam to enter the optical multiplexing section 4 on the side of the one side surface 4C. Between the end of the incident fiber B2 and the one side surface 4C, a collimator lens that adjusts the emitted second laser beam into a light beam parallel to the side of the one side surface 4C and causes the light beam to enter may be arranged. The optical multiplexing section 4 reflects the second laser beam incident from the one side surface 4C in the direction of the optical path C at the position of the optical path C, and multiplexes the second laser beam with the first laser beam to generate first multiplexed light.

[0022] The incident fiber B3 emits a third laser beam from its end, and causes the emitted third laser beam to enter the optical multiplexing section 4 on the side of the one side surface 4C. Between the end of the incident fiber B3 and the one side surface 4C, a collimator lens that adjusts the emitted third laser beam into a light beam parallel to the side of the one side surface 4C and causes the light beam to enter may be arranged. The optical multiplexing section 4 reflects the third laser beam incident from the one side surface 4C in the direction of the optical path C at the position of the optical path C, and multiplexes the third laser beam with the first multiplexed light to generate second multiplexed light.

[0023] The input fiber B4 emits a fourth laser light from an end portion thereof, and causes the emitted fourth laser light to enter the one side surface 4C side of the optical multiplexing unit 4. Between the end portion of the input fiber B4 and the one side surface 4C, a collimator lens that adjusts the emitted fourth laser light into a light beam parallel to the one side surface 4C side and causes the light beam to enter may be disposed. The optical multiplexing unit 4 reflects the fourth laser light incident from the one side surface 4C in the direction of the optical path C at the position of the optical path C, and multiplexes the fourth laser light into the second multiplexed light to generate third multiplexed light.

[0024] The input fiber B5 emits a fifth laser light from an end portion thereof, and causes the emitted fifth laser light to enter the one side surface 4C side of the optical multiplexing unit 4. Between the end portion of the input fiber B5 and the one side surface 4C, a collimator lens that adjusts the emitted fifth laser light into a light beam parallel to the one side surface 4C side and causes the light beam to enter may be disposed. The optical multiplexing unit 4 reflects the fifth laser light incident from the one side surface 4C in the direction of the optical path C at the position of the optical path C, and multiplexes the fifth laser light into the third multiplexed light to generate fourth multiplexed light.

[0025] The input fiber B6 emits a sixth laser light from an end portion thereof, and causes the emitted sixth laser light to enter the one side surface 4C side of the optical multiplexing unit 4. Between the end portion of the input fiber B6 and the one side surface 4C, a collimator lens that adjusts the emitted sixth laser light into a light beam parallel to the one side surface 4C side and causes the light beam to enter may be disposed. The optical multiplexing unit 4 reflects the sixth laser light incident from the one side surface 4C in the direction of the optical path C at the position of the optical path C, and multiplexes the sixth laser light into the fourth multiplexed light to generate multiplexed light. The wavelength of the multiplexed light is adjusted by individually controlling the intensity of each laser light that is incident on the optical multiplexing unit 4 in the light source 2.

[0026] The optical multiplexer 4 emits multiplexed light from its other end 4B. The multiplexed light emitted from the other end 4B of the optical multiplexer 4 travels along the optical path C1 and is incident on the upstream end of the output fiber 5 located downstream. A condenser lens may be placed between the other end 4B of the optical multiplexer 4 and the upstream end of the output fiber 5 to concentrate the multiplexed light emitted in parallel onto the upstream side of the output fiber 5. The output fiber 5 is composed of an optical fiber that guides the multiplexed light that has been emitted from the optical multiplexer 4 and incident on it to a predetermined position. The output fiber 5 emits combined light from its downstream end and causes it to be incident on the first pinhole P1 (see Figure 1).

[0027] A dimming unit 6 is provided in the optical path C1 of the combined light between the optical multiplexer 4 and the output fiber 5, which transmits or blocks the combined light. The dimming unit 6 includes, for example, a plate-shaped part 6A formed from a rotatable plate-like body. The plate-shaped part 6A is provided with a rotating shaft 6B along the axis of rotation. The rotating shaft 6B is connected to a drive unit 7 that rotates the plate-shaped part.

[0028] The drive unit 7 is comprised of a device that generates rotational driving force, such as a motor or a stepping motor. The drive unit 7 may also be comprised of a device that generates rotational driving force by transmitting the operation of a linear motor or the like through a link mechanism or other transmission device. Any device can be used for the drive unit 7 as long as it can rotate the dimming unit 6. The drive unit 7 may generate driving force not only in the rotational direction but also in the linear direction.

[0029] The drive unit 7 is controlled by the control unit 11, and the rotational state related to the rotational operation of the plate-shaped part 6A, such as the rotation angle, rotation direction, and rotation speed, is adjusted. The rotation axis 6B of the plate-shaped part 6A is positioned parallel to the optical path C1 at a predetermined distance from the optical path C1. The optical path C1 and the rotation axis 6B do not necessarily have to be positioned strictly parallel.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the plate-like portion 6A is formed from a circular plate-like body. The plate-like portion 6A may be any shape, such as a polygon, as long as it is rotatable, not just circular. The plate-like portion 6A is formed from, for example, a glass plate, a transparent acrylic plate, a metal plate, etc. It comprises one or more circular transmission regions 6C that transmit multiplexed light and one or more circular light-shielding regions 6D that block multiplexed light. The transmission regions 6C and light-shielding regions 6D are formed as circular regions that include the optical path C1, based on the rotation of the plate-like portion 6A. The transmission regions 6C and light-shielding regions 6D may be formed as any shape, such as a polygon, as long as they include the optical path C1, based on the rotation of the plate-like portion 6A, not just circular. The plate-like portion 6A may be polygonal and may be slidable.

[0031] The transmission region 6C and the light-shielding region 6D are arranged along the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation. The transmission region 6C and the light-shielding region 6D are formed such that the transmission region 6C or the light-shielding region 6D is positioned on the optical path C1 by changing their circumferential position through the rotation of the plate-shaped portion 6A.

[0032] The transmission region 6C includes at least one full transmission region 6E that transmits multiplexed light without attenuation, and transmission regions 6F and 6G that transmit multiplexed light with a desired degree of attenuation. The transmission region only needs to be at least one of the transmission regions 6F and 6G. In the illustrated example, the plate-like portion 6A comprises one full transmission region 6E, two transmission regions 6F and 6G that transmit multiplexed light with different degrees of attenuation, and a plurality of light-shielding regions 6D.

[0033] The light-shielding region 6D is located between the fully transparent region 6E and the transparent regions 6F and 6G in the circumferential direction of the plate-shaped portion 6A. The light-shielding region 6D may also be located between at least two transparent regions 6C in the circumferential direction of the plate-shaped portion 6A. In the illustrated example, the plate-shaped portion 6A is provided with one fully transparent region 6E, two transparent regions 6F and 6G, and three light-shielding regions 6D. The light-shielding region 6D is located between the fully transparent region 6E and the transparent region 6F, between the two transparent regions 6F and 6G, and between the transparent region 6G and the fully transparent region 6E.

[0034] The arrangement and number of the total transmission area 6E, transmission area, and light-shielding area are not limited to these and may be appropriately changed depending on conditions such as the operation of the object T and scanning device S, and the image generation method. They may also be appropriately changed depending on conditions such as the schedule for light reduction or shading during imaging. For example, it can be said that the light-shielding area is arranged adjacent to the transmission area. The total transmission area may be arranged adjacent to the transmission area.

[0035] Transmitting regions adjusted to two or more different degrees of attenuation may be placed adjacent to each other. Shading regions may be placed between groups of transmitting regions adjusted to two or more different degrees of attenuation and other groups. Groups of transmitting regions adjusted to two or more different degrees of attenuation may or may not include one or more fully transmitting regions. Shading regions may be placed between transmitting regions and fully transmitting regions.

[0036] The fully transparent region 6E is realized by the transparent region of the plate-like portion 6A, for example, when the plate-like portion 6A is formed of a transparent material such as a glass plate or a transparent acrylic plate. That is, the material of the fully transparent region 6E includes transparent members such as glass and transparent acrylic. By arranging the fully transparent region 6E, which contains glass as a material, at a predetermined angle, an amount of refraction of incident multiplexed light is generated. By arranging the output fiber 5 according to the amount of refraction generated, light is appropriately guided to the output fiber 5. The fully transparent region 6E may also be realized by an opening formed in the plate-like portion 6A, regardless of the material.

[0037] The light-transmitting regions 6F and 6G can be realized, for example, by applying a coating or film adjusted to a predetermined light transmittance when the plate-like portion 6A is made of a transparent material. The entire light-transmitting region 6E and the light-transmitting regions 6F and 6G may be optical members of the same thickness. The entire light-transmitting region 6E and the light-transmitting regions 6F and 6G may be optical materials with the same refractive index. The entire light-transmitting region 6E and the light-transmitting regions 6F and 6G may be optical members arranged at the same angle. In other words, the entire light-transmitting region 6E and the light-transmitting regions 6F and 6G only need to be composed of optical members with the same refractive index, thickness, and arrangement angle. The light-transmitting regions 6F and 6G may be formed by wavelength-selective members having spectral characteristics that selectively transmit a desired wavelength.

[0038] The light-transmitting regions 6F and 6G may be realized by a circular plate-like body fitted into a circular opening formed in the plate-like portion 6A, regardless of the material, and adjusted to a preset light transmittance, or by a film covering the circular opening. The light-transmitting regions 6F and 6G do not have to be circular; they may be fan-shaped. The light-transmitting regions 6F and 6G may be any shape as long as they can attenuate combined wave light. The light-shielding region 6D is realized by a light-reducing coating when the plate-like portion 6A is made of a transparent material such as a glass plate or a transparent acrylic plate. The light-shielding region 6D may be realized by a circular plate-like body formed by a light-reducing member, or by a light-reducing film covering the circular opening, regardless of the material, and fitted into a circular opening formed in the plate-like portion 6A.

[0039] The light-shielding region 6D may be realized by a region set on the plate-like portion 6A if the plate-like portion 6A is made of an opaque material.

[0040] The dimming unit 6 adjusts the rotation of the plate-shaped part 6A by controlling the drive unit 7 via the control unit 11. Adjusting the rotation means adjusting the rotational state of the plate-shaped part 6A, such as the rotation direction, rotation angle, rotation speed, and stopping position. The control unit 11 controls the drive unit to adjust the rotation state of the plate-shaped part and positions either the transmission region 6C or the light-shielding region 6D in the optical path C1. By controlling the rotation of the plate-shaped part 6A, the control unit 11 positions either the fully transmission region 6E, transmission regions 6F, 6G, or light-shielding region 6D in the optical path C1. This adjusts the amount of combined wave light irradiated onto the object T (see Figure 1).

[0041] Figure 4 shows an example of an object T observed by the microscope device 1 and an image F of the object T generated by the microscope device 1. The control unit 11 controls the scanning device S to scan the focused multiplexed light along the scanning trajectory. The scanning trajectory includes a plurality of irradiation trajectories K1 arranged to illuminate the object T in a predetermined region Q including the object T, and a plurality of return trajectories K2 that move from the endpoint of one irradiation trajectory K1 to the starting point of an adjacent irradiation trajectory K1.

[0042] The control unit 11 controls the scanning device S to move the combined light alternately along multiple irradiation trajectories K1 and multiple return trajectories K2, while the transmission region 6C is positioned in the optical path C1. The control unit 11 controls the dimming device 3 in conjunction with the scanning device S to adjust the position of the dimming unit 6 and adjust the amount of combined light irradiated onto the object T. The control unit 11 controls the dimming device 3 at the timing when the combined light reaches the final endpoint KE of the irradiation trajectory K1 or the return trajectory K2, that is, at the timing when the frame of the image F is changed, to position the light-shielding region 6D in the optical path C1.

[0043] In this state, the control unit 11 controls the scanning device S so that the combined light is irradiated to the initial starting point KS of the irradiation trajectory K1. The scanning device S operates so that the combined light returns to the initial starting point KS of the irradiation trajectory K1, but because the combined light is shielded, it is not irradiated to the object T and the fading of the object T is suppressed. The control unit 11 controls the dimming device 3 to position the transmission area 6C in the optical path C1 and controls the scanning device S to irradiate the object T along the irradiation trajectory K1 with the combined light.

[0044] The control unit 11 may control the rotation direction and rotation angle of the plate-shaped portion 6A based on the schedule of the dimming degree of the multiplexed light in each frame of the image F, thereby controlling the placement of either the fully transparent region 6E, the transparent regions 6F and 6G, or the light-shielding region 6D in the optical path C1, and adjusting the degree of irradiation of the multiplexed light irradiated onto the object T.

[0045] The control unit 11 may control the rotation direction of the plate-shaped portion 6A in accordance with the degree of dimming of the transparent regions 6F and 6G. The control unit may determine the rotation direction based on the result of integrating the degree of dimming, for example. The control unit 11 may control the rotation direction of the plate-shaped portion 6A in a first rotation direction, rotating from the light-shielding region 6D to the transparent region 6F, or in a second rotation direction, rotating from the light-shielding region 6D to the transparent region 6G, based on the result of integrating the degree of dimming between the transparent region 6F and the transparent region 6G.

[0046] The control unit 11 may control the rotation direction of the plate-shaped portion 6A based on weighting according to the transmittance of the transparent regions 6F and 6G. The weighting may be determined by the transmittance of the transparent regions 6F and 6G. The transmittance may differ depending on the wavelength. The control unit 11 may calculate the wavelength and transmittance of the combined wavelength and control the rotation direction of the plate-shaped portion 6A. For example, the control unit 11 may select a first rotation direction, which is rotation from the light-shielding region 6D to the transparent region 6F, or a second rotation direction, which is rotation from the light-shielding region 6D to the transparent region 6G, based on the weighting set for the transparent region 6F and the transparent region 6G, and control the rotation direction of the plate-shaped portion 6A.

[0047] As described above, with the microscope device 1, the degree of irradiation of the object T with combined light can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the dimming unit 6 of the dimming device 3. With the microscope device 1, since the dimming unit 6 formed on a plate-like body is provided with a light-shielding region and a light-transmitting region, it can be placed in the middle of the optical path C1 between the optical combined unit 4 and the output fiber 5 with almost no effect on the optical length of the optical path C1, and a close arrangement relationship between the optical combined unit 4 and the output fiber 5 can be achieved.

[0048] According to the microscope apparatus 1, the optical path length of the combined light can be shortened by providing a light-shielding region and a light-transmitting region in the rotatable dimming unit 6. The dimming unit 6, which is formed in a plate shape, may be placed between the optical combined unit 4 and the incident fibers B1 to B6, and can be placed in the optical path without affecting the optical length of the optical path between the optical combined unit 4 and the incident fibers B1 to B6, while also enabling a close arrangement between the optical combined unit 4 and the incident fibers B1 to B6.

[0049] According to the microscope device 1, the degree of attenuation of the multiplexed light can be adjusted in the dimming device 3 without adjusting the degree of attenuation of the multiplexed light in the light source 2, thus stabilizing the light source 2 and suppressing noise in the image F. According to the microscope device 1, the degree of attenuation of the multiplexed light can be adjusted at any time. According to the microscope device 1, the multiplexed light can be blocked at any time, thus preventing discoloration of the object T.

[0050] In the embodiments described above, the computer programs executed in each configuration of the control device 10 may be provided in the form of being recorded on a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. The computer program product including the computer programs according to the above embodiments may be stored on a storage medium or provided via a communication line. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1 Microscope apparatus, 2 Light source, 3 Light control device, 3A Light incidence section, 4 Light multiplexing section, 4A One end, 4B Other end, 4C One side, 5 Output fiber, 6 Light control section, 6A Plate-shaped section, 6B Rotation axis, 6C Transmission area, 6D Light-shielding area, 6E Full transmission area, 6F, 6G Transmission area, 7 Drive unit, 10 Control device, 11 Control unit, 12 Memory unit, 30 Display unit, B1~B6 Incident fiber, C, C1 Optical path, D Dichroic mirror, F Image, G1, G2 Galvanometer mirror, K1 Irradiation trajectory, K2 Return trajectory, KE End point, KS Starting point, M Light receiving unit, P1 First pinhole, P2 Second pinhole, Q Determined area, R1 First lens, R2 Objective lens, R3 Focusing lens, S Scanning device, T Object,

Claims

1. An optical multiplexer that combines laser light of different wavelengths emitted from multiple light sources to emit combined light, The dimming unit comprises a transmission region that dims and transmits the combined wave light to a desired degree of dimming, and a light-shielding region that blocks light, The dimming unit is positioned between the output fiber, which guides the incident combined light from the optical combined section to a predetermined position, and the optical combined section. Dimming device.

2. The optical multiplexing unit combines the laser light of different wavelengths incident from multiple incident fibers. The dimming device according to claim 1.

3. The dimming unit dims the combined light and emits it through the output fiber. The dimming device according to claim 1.

4. The dimming unit is The region further includes a total transmission region that transmits the multiplexed light without attenuation. The dimming device according to claim 3.

5. The dimming unit is It comprises a plate-like portion formed by a rotatable plate-like body, The plate-like portion is It is supported so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis that is arranged parallel to the optical path at a predetermined distance from the optical path, The device comprises the transparent region, the fully transparent region, and the light-shielding region, which are arranged along the circumferential direction around the rotation axis. The dimming device according to claim 4.

6. The plate-like portion is formed such that by changing its position in the circumferential direction, either the fully transparent region, the transparent region, or the light-shielding region is positioned on the optical path. The dimming device according to claim 5.

7. The plate-like portion is The system comprises the aforementioned fully transparent region, the aforementioned transparent region, and the aforementioned light-shielding region. The light-shielding region is located between the fully transparent region and the transparent region in the circumferential direction. The dimming device according to claim 6.

8. The light-shielding region is positioned between at least two of the transmitting regions that transmit the combined light, each attenuating it to a different degree of light reduction. The dimming device according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned total transmission region and the aforementioned transmission region are made up of optical members having the same refractive index, thickness, and positioning angle. The dimming device according to claim 6.

10. The system comprises an incident fiber and a lens positioned between the incident fiber and the optical multiplexer. The dimming device according to claim 2.

11. The system comprises a lens positioned between the light-adjusting unit and the output fiber. The dimming device according to claim 10.

12. The control unit controls the rotation of the plate-shaped portion so that one of the fully transmitted region, the transmitted region, or the light-shielding region is positioned in the optical path. The dimming device according to claim 6.

13. The control unit controls the rotation direction of the plate-shaped portion in accordance with the degree of dimming of the transparent region. The dimming device according to claim 12.

14. The control unit controls the rotation direction based on the degree of dimming. The dimming device according to claim 13.

15. The vehicle is equipped with a drive unit that rotates the plate-shaped portion, The control unit, The drive unit is controlled to adjust the rotation state of the plate-shaped portion, and either the light-transmitting region, the light-shielding region, or the fully transparent region is positioned in the optical path. The dimming device according to claim 12.

16. An optical multiplexer that combines laser light of different wavelengths emitted from multiple light sources to emit combined light, It comprises a dimming unit that transmits or blocks the multiplexed light, The dimming unit is positioned between the plurality of light sources and the light multiplexing unit. Dimming device.

17. An optical multiplexer that combines laser light of different wavelengths incident from multiple incident fibers and emits combined light, It comprises a dimming unit that transmits or blocks the multiplexed light, The dimming unit is positioned between the incident fiber and the optical multiplexing unit. Dimming device.

18. The dimming unit has a transmission region that dims and transmits the multiplexed light to a desired degree of dimming, a light-shielding region that blocks the multiplexed light, and a fully transmission region that transmits the multiplexed light without dimming. The dimming device according to claim 16.

19. The dimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, A scanning device that irradiates an object with the multiplexed light output from the dimming device along an arbitrary scanning path, A light-receiving unit that receives reflected light or fluorescence of the multiplexed light reflected from the aforementioned object, Equipped with, Microscope device.

Images