Observation equipment

Abstract

To provide an observation device that can compactly realize a device configuration, can appropriately set resolution of a display device, and prevents an observer from visually observing dust / scratches or the like.SOLUTION: An observation device 100 includes: an observation optical system 110 for imaging luminous flux from a sample S and forming an image of the sample S; a display device 120 for displaying a display pattern; a display projection optical system 130 for projecting luminous flux from the display device 120 and forming an image of a display pattern in a position in which an image of the sample S is formed; a synthetic optical element 140 for synthesizing luminous flux from the sample S and luminous flux from the display device 120; and an ocular optical system 150 for allowing an observer to simultaneously observe an image of the sample S and an image of a display pattern. In a position of an image on an optical path after synthesizing luminous flux by the synthetic optical element 140, NA of luminous flux from the display device 120 is smaller than the maximum value of NA of luminous flux from the sample S and is larger than the minimum value of NA of luminous flux from the sample S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosure herein relates to an observation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, one example of an observation device is a microscope equipped with a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, which optically superimposes an image of a specimen and an image of a display pattern displayed by the display device, allowing them to be simultaneously observed through an eyepiece (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this observation device, the display device displays a display pattern that shows information about the specimen, thereby assisting the observer in observing the specimen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-122647 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-described observation device may have the following problems. If the display device and the optical system that projects the display pattern displayed by the display device become larger, the observation device as a whole becomes larger. When observing with the human eye, the observer cannot resolve the observed image into a size finer than the size of the photoreceptor cells. This means that there is no point in increasing the resolution (pixel density) of the display device that displays the display pattern more than necessary. Since the display device is positioned conjugate with the observer's photoreceptors, if there is dirt or scratches on the optical system that projects the display pattern displayed by the display device, it is easy for the observer to visually observe it and recognize it as a defect. In particular, if the display pattern is monochrome, so-called missing dots caused by dirt or scratches are very noticeable and easy to notice.

[0005] Patent Document 1 does not provide any specific disclosure related to solving these problems. In light of the above-described circumstances, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an observation device that can realize a compact device configuration, can provide an appropriate resolution for the display device, and makes it difficult for an observer to visually observe dust, scratches, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An observation device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an observation optical system that focuses a light beam from a specimen to form an image of the specimen, a display device that displays a display pattern, a display projection optical system that projects the light beam from the display device to form an image of the display pattern at a position where the image of the specimen is formed, a combining optical element that combines the light beam from the specimen and the light beam from the display device, and an eyepiece optical system that enables an observer to simultaneously observe the image of the specimen and the image of the display pattern, and is characterized in that, at the position of the image on the optical path after the light beams are combined by the combining optical element, the NA of the light beam from the display device is smaller than the maximum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen and larger than the minimum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide an observation device that can realize a compact device configuration, can provide an appropriate resolution for the display device, and makes it difficult for an observer to visually observe dust, scratches, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 100 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the observation device 100 satisfies the NA condition. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the observation device 100 satisfies the NA condition. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of when conditional expression (1) is satisfied and when it is not satisfied. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 200 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the imaging range Dc and the observation range Do when conditional expression (2) is satisfied. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 300 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 400 according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 500 according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 600 according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 700 according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 900 according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 1000 according to a tenth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a binocular barrel of an observation device according to an eleventh embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the binocular barrel of the observation device according to the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the binocular barrel of the observation device according to the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an eyepiece optical system 150 of an observation device according to a twelfth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of an eyepiece optical system 150 of an observation device according to a twelfth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of an eyepiece optical system 150 of an observation device according to a twelfth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a part of an observation device according to a thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the observation apparatus according to the thirteenth embodiment satisfies the NA condition at the position of a virtual image. [Figure 22] 13 is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement of the diffractive light-guiding element 1310. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 1400 according to a fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a part of an observation device according to a fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a part of an observation device according to a sixteenth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 100 according to this embodiment. The observation device 100 is, for example, a microscope, and as illustrated in Fig. 1, includes an observation optical system 110, a display device 120, a display / projection optical system 130, a combining optical element 140, and an eyepiece optical system 150. Although not shown, the observation device 100 also includes a configuration for illuminating the specimen S (light source, illumination optical system, etc.), a PC (Personal Computer) that controls the display of the display device 120, and the like.

[0010] The observation optical system 110 focuses the light beam from the specimen S at a position conjugate with the specimen S to form an image (primary image) of the specimen S. The observation optical system 110 is a so-called infinity corrected optical system that includes an objective optical system (e.g., an objective lens) 111 that converts the light beam from the specimen S into a substantially parallel light beam, and an imaging optical system (e.g., an imaging lens) 112 that focuses the substantially parallel light beam to form an image of the specimen S. However, the observation optical system 110 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a finite corrected optical system, or an optical system including an infinity corrected optical system or a finite corrected optical system.

[0011] The display device 120 is, for example, a display device using an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a DMD (Digital Mirror Device). The display device 120 displays, for example, a display pattern (a display pattern such as characters, figures, images, etc.) representing information (hereinafter referred to as "auxiliary information") that assists an observer in observing a specimen. The display projection optical system 130 projects (forms an image) the light beam from the display device 120 onto the position where the image of the specimen S is formed, and forms an image of the display pattern displayed by the display device 120. The combining optical element 140 combines the light beam from the specimen S and the light beam from the display device 120. The combining optical element 140 is, for example, a half mirror or a beam splitter.

[0012] The eyepiece optical system 150 is an optical system that enables an observer to simultaneously observe the image of the specimen S and the image of the display pattern by placing the eye E at the eye point. Note that enabling the simultaneous observation of the image of the specimen S and the image of the display pattern also means enabling the observation of the optically superimposed image of the specimen S and the image of the display pattern.

[0013] In addition, the observation device 100 satisfies the condition (hereinafter referred to as the "NA condition") that the NA (Numerical Aperture) of the light beam from the display device 120 is smaller than the maximum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S and larger than the minimum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S at the position of the image (for example, the position of the primary image or the position of the virtual image conjugate to the primary image) on the optical path after the light beam combination by the combining optical element 140.

[0014] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are diagrams illustrating a state in which the observation device 100 satisfies the NA condition. FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which the NA condition is satisfied at the position of the primary image. Specifically, showing the NA of the light beam from the display device 120 as NAd, the maximum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S as NAsmax, and the minimum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S as NAsmin, it illustrates a state where NAsmin < NAd < NAsmax, that is, a state where the NA condition is satisfied.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which the NA condition is satisfied at the position of a virtual image conjugate to the primary image (an image conjugate to the primary image formed by the eyepiece optical system 150). Specifically, in a light beam extended assuming that the eyepiece optical system 150 is not present for the light beam incident on the observer's eye E, what corresponds to the NA of the light beam from the display device 120 is shown as NAdv, what corresponds to the maximum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S is shown as NAsmaxv, and what corresponds to the minimum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S is shown as NAsminv, and a state where NAsminv < NAdv < NAsmaxv, that is, a state in which the NA condition is satisfied is illustrated.

[0016] Note that the observation optical system 110 (more specifically, the objective optical system 111) includes a plurality of objective lenses having different magnifications and NAs, and is configured such that an objective lens to be inserted into the optical path can be selected (switched) from among the plurality of objective lenses. Therefore, in the observation device 100, the NA of the light beam from the specimen S in the NA condition changes depending on the magnification and NA of the selected objective lens. Accordingly, the maximum value and the minimum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S in the NA condition are determined by, for example, the objective lenses that the observation optical system 110 can include.

[0017] By the observation device 100 satisfying the NA condition, the following effects can be obtained. · By satisfying the condition that the NA of the light beam from the display device 120 is smaller than the maximum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S among the NA conditions (hereinafter referred to as "NA condition 1"), the NA of the light beam from the display device 120 can be made smaller than the maximum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the resolution (pixel density) of the display device 120 more than necessary, and a display device 120 with an appropriate resolution can be adopted according to the size of the photoreceptor cells. Further, by satisfying NA condition 1, since the NA of the light beam from the display device 120 becomes smaller in the direction, as a result, the projection magnification of the display pattern displayed by the display device 120 can be increased and a small-sized display device 120 can be adopted, and the display projection optical system 130 can also be made small. Therefore, the observation device 100 can be realized with a compact configuration. Among the NA conditions, by satisfying the condition that the NA of the light beam from the display device 120 is larger than the minimum value of the NA of the light beam from the sample S (hereinafter referred to as "NA condition 2"), it is possible to make it difficult for the observer to observe dust and scratches that may adhere to the display-projection optical system 130 through the eyepiece optical system 150. If NA condition 2 were not satisfied, the incident NA of the display-projection optical system 130 would be small and the overlap of light rays at each image height of the display pattern would be reduced, making it easier for the observer to observe dust and scratches that may adhere to the display-projection optical system 130 through the eyepiece optical system 130.

[0018] Furthermore, the observation device 100 satisfies the following conditional expression (1), where WD is the distance from the display device 120 to the optical element of the display projection optical system 130 closest to the display device 120, α is the NA of the light beam taken in by the display projection optical system 130 from the display device 120 (incident NA of the display projection optical system 130), and R is the radius of the circle circumscribing the display area of ​​the display device 120. WD×α>R / 10 Conditional expression (1) When the observation device 100 satisfies the conditional expression (1), it becomes more difficult for the observer to observe dust or scratches that may adhere to the display projection optical system 130.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating examples of when conditional expression (1) is satisfied and when it is not satisfied. When conditional expression (1) is satisfied, as illustrated in the upper left of FIG. 4, most of the light beams from the display device 120 overlap with the dust or scratch D on the display-projection optical system 130. As a result, as illustrated in the upper right of FIG. 4, the image I1 formed by the display-projection optical system 130 is only slightly dark overall, and is difficult for the observer to observe as the dust or scratch D. In contrast, when conditional expression (1) is not satisfied, as illustrated in the lower left of FIG. 4, only a portion of the light beams from the display device 120 overlaps with the dust or scratch D on the display-projection optical system 130. As a result, the dust or scratch D is projected as a point in the image I2 formed by the display-projection optical system 130, as illustrated in the lower right of FIG. 4, and is easily observed as the dust or scratch D by the observer.

[0020] [Second embodiment] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the observation apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the observation apparatus 200 further includes a separation optical element 210, an imaging optical system 220, and an imaging device 230 connected to a PC in the observation apparatus 100 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment.

[0021] The separation optical element 210 is disposed on the optical path between the specimen S and the combining optical element 140, more specifically, on the optical path between the objective optical system 111 and the imaging optical system 112. The separation optical element 210 separates the light beam from the specimen S into the direction of the combining optical element 140 and the direction of the imaging device 230, and guides at least a part of the light beam from the specimen S to the imaging device 230. The separation optical element 210 is, for example, a half mirror or a beam splitter. The imaging optical system 220 forms an image of the light beam from the specimen S separated by the separation optical element 210 on the imaging device 230. The imaging device 230 is, for example, a CCD, and images the image of the specimen S formed by the imaging optical system 220.

[0022] The image captured by the imaging device 230 is only the image of the specimen S and does not include the image of the display pattern displayed by the display device 120. Therefore, it is possible to capture the image of the specimen S and save it as it is as an image of the specimen S, or to perform various analyses based on the image. The saving and analysis are performed by, for example, a PC. Further, by the PC performing control to display the information based on the image or analysis result of the specimen S on the display device 120 as auxiliary information, the observer can simultaneously observe the image of the display pattern representing the auxiliary information and the image of the specimen S.

[0023] Further, the observation apparatus 200 satisfies the following conditional expression (2) when the imaging range on the specimen S by the imaging device 230 is Dc and the observation range on the specimen S by the observation optical system 110 is Do. 0.5 < Dc / Do < 2.0 Conditional Expression (2)

[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the imaging range Dc and the observation range Do when the conditional expression (2) is satisfied. The left side of FIG. 6 illustrates the case where 0.5 < Dc / Do < 1.0. In this case, the imaging range Dc is smaller than the observation range Do. The right side of FIG. 6 illustrates the case where 1.0 < Dc / Do < 2.0. In this case, the imaging range Dc is larger than the observation range Do. Note that the imaging range Dc represents the diagonal length of the rectangle indicating the imaging range, and the observation range Do represents the diameter of the circle indicating the observation range.

[0025] In addition, when the observation device 200 sets the size of each pixel of the display device 120 as Ppro, the size of each pixel of the imaging element 230 as Pc, the projection magnification from the specimen S to the imaging element 230 as MGc, the projection magnification from the display device 120 to the primary image position as MGpro, and the projection magnification from the specimen S to the primary image position as Mgo, the following conditional expression (3) is satisfied. Ppro × MGpro > Pc × MGo / MGc Conditional expression (3)

[0026] The conditional expression (3) is also a conditional expression indicating that, when compared at the primary image position, the pixels of the display device 120 are larger than the pixels of the imaging element 230 (the pixels of the imaging element 230 are smaller than the pixels of the display device 120). Therefore, when the conditional expression (3) is satisfied, for example, it becomes possible for the PC to perform binning processing on the image captured by the imaging element 230. Further, by the PC performing control to display the binned image on the display device 120, an observer can simultaneously observe the image of the specimen S and the image of the display pattern representing the binned image.

[0027] The observation device 200 having such a configuration also satisfies at least the NA condition, and thus the above-described effects can be obtained.

[0028] [Third Embodiment] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 300 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the observation device 300 differs from the observation device 100 according to the first embodiment (see Fig. 1) in the configuration of the observation optical system 110 and the position of the combining optical element 140.

[0029] Specifically, the observation optical system 110 includes a primary imaging optical system 310, a first field lens 320, and a second field lens 330. The primary imaging optical system 310 forms an intermediate image conjugate to the primary image formed by the observation optical system 110. The primary imaging optical system 310 is a so-called infinity corrected optical system including an objective optical system (e.g., an objective lens) 311 that converts a light beam from the specimen S into a substantially parallel light beam, and an imaging optical system (e.g., an imaging lens) 312 that forms an intermediate image by imaging the substantially parallel light beam. However, the primary imaging optical system 310 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a finite corrected optical system. The objective optical system 311 and the imaging optical system 312 are also the objective optical system 111 and the imaging optical system 112 in the observation device 100.

[0030] The first field lens 320 converts the light beam from the intermediate image into a substantially parallel light beam. The second field lens 330 focuses the substantially parallel light beam to form a primary image. The combining optical element 140 is disposed on the optical path between the first field lens 320 and the second field lens 330. With this arrangement, the display-projection optical system 130 converts the light beam from the display device 120 into a substantially parallel light beam. The focal length of the display-projection optical system 130 is shorter than the focal length of the second field lens 330. In other words, the projection from the display device 120 to the primary image position is a magnified system.

[0031] The observation device 300 configured in this way also satisfies at least the NA condition, and can thereby obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[0032] [Fourth embodiment] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 400 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the observation device 400 is configured by configuring the observation device 300 according to the third embodiment (see Fig. 7) as an inverted microscope, and further comprises a configuration for capturing an image of the specimen S in addition to the observation device 300. In detail, the observation device 400 further comprises a separation optical element 410, an imaging optical system 420, an imaging element 430 connected to a PC, and a reflecting mirror 440 in addition to the components of the observation device 300.

[0033] The separation optical element 410 is disposed on the optical path between the specimen S and the combining optical element 140, more specifically, on the optical path between the primary imaging optical system 310 and the reflecting mirror 440. The separation optical element 410 splits the light beam from the specimen S toward the reflecting mirror 318 and the image sensor 317, and guides at least a portion of the light beam from the specimen S to the image sensor 430. The separation optical element 410 is, for example, a half mirror or a beam splitter. The image sensor 420 forms an image of the light beam from the specimen S separated by the separation optical element 410 on the image sensor 430. The image sensor 430 is, for example, a CCD, and captures the image of the specimen S formed by the image sensor 420. The reflecting mirror 440 reflects the light beam from the specimen S separated by the separation optical element 410. The light beam from the specimen S reflected by the reflecting mirror 440 is then focused to form an intermediate image.

[0034] In the observation device 400, for example, a PC controls the display device 120 to display an image of the specimen S captured by the image capture element 430 or information based on the analysis results thereof as auxiliary information, allowing the observer to simultaneously observe an image of a display pattern representing the auxiliary information and an image of the specimen S. The observation device 400 configured in this way also satisfies at least the NA condition, and can thereby obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[0035] [Fifth embodiment] 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 500 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the observation device 500 differs from the observation device 100 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) in the arrangement position of the combining optical element 140.

[0036] More specifically, in the observation device 500, the combining optical element 140 is disposed on the optical path between the objective optical system 111 and the imaging optical system 112. In accordance with this arrangement, the display-projection optical system 130 converts the light beam from the display device 120 into a substantially parallel light beam, and the focal length of the display-projection optical system 130 is shorter than the focal length of the imaging optical system 112. In other words, the projection from the display device 120 to the primary image position is a magnifying system.

[0037] The observation device 500 having such a configuration also satisfies at least the NA condition, and can thereby obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[0038] [Sixth embodiment] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 600 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the observation device 600 is the observation device 500 according to the fifth embodiment (see Fig. 9) further including a separation optical element 610, an imaging optical system 620, and an imaging element 630 connected to a PC.

[0039] The separating optical element 610 is disposed on the optical path between the specimen S and the combining optical element 140, more specifically, on the optical path between the objective optical system 111 and the combining optical element 140. The separating optical element 610 separates the light beam from the specimen S toward the combining optical element 140 and the image capturing element 630, and guides at least a portion of the light beam from the specimen S to the image capturing element 630. The separating optical element 610 is, for example, a half mirror or a beam splitter. The image capturing optical system 620 forms an image of the light beam from the specimen S separated by the separating optical element 610 on the image capturing element 630. The image capturing element 630 is, for example, a CCD, and captures the image of the specimen S formed by the image capturing optical system 620.

[0040] In the observation device 600, for example, a PC controls the display device 120 to display an image of the specimen S captured by the image sensor 630 or information based on the analysis results thereof as auxiliary information, allowing the observer to simultaneously observe an image of a display pattern representing the auxiliary information and an image of the specimen S. The observation device 600 configured in this way also satisfies at least the NA condition, and can thereby obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[0041] [Seventh embodiment] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 700 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the observation device 700 differs from the observation device 300 according to the third embodiment (see Fig. 7) in the arrangement position of the combining optical element 140.

[0042] More specifically, in the observation device 700, the combining optical element 140 is disposed on the optical path between the objective optical system 311 and the imaging optical system 312. In accordance with this arrangement, the display-projection optical system 130 converts the light beam from the display device 120 into a substantially parallel light beam, and the focal length of the display-projection optical system 130 is shorter than the focal length of the imaging optical system 112. In other words, the projection from the display device 120 to the intermediate image position is a magnified system.

[0043] The observation device 700 having such a configuration also satisfies at least the NA condition, and can thereby obtain the above-mentioned effects. Note that the observation device 700 may also further include a separating optical element, an imaging optical system, and an imaging element connected to a PC, similar to the observation device 600 according to the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 10).

[0044] [Eighth embodiment] The observation device according to this embodiment is the observation device according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments, further comprising a binocular tube. The binocular tube is disposed closer to the observer than the combining optical element 140, and separates light beams for both eyes of the observer. The binocular tube is an example of a binocular separation optical system. Furthermore, due to the inclusion of the binocular tube, the observation device according to this embodiment also comprises two ocular optical systems 150. An observation device with this configuration also satisfies at least the NA condition, and can thereby obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[0045] [Ninth embodiment] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 900 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the observation device 900 further includes a display separation optical element 910 in addition to the observation device 500 according to the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 9), and also includes two combining optical elements 140, two imaging optical systems 112, and two eyepiece optical systems 150, allowing an observer to observe with both eyes. The display separation optical element 910 is disposed closer to the display device 120 than each combining optical element 140, and separates the light beam from the display device 120 into the direction of one combining optical element 140 and the direction of the other combining optical element 140. The observation device 900 configured in this manner also satisfies at least the NA condition, thereby achieving the above-mentioned effects.

[0046] [Tenth embodiment] Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 1000 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 13, the observation device 1000 is the observation device 900 according to the ninth embodiment (see Fig. 12) further including a separation optical element 1010, an imaging optical system 1020, and an imaging element 1030 connected to a PC.

[0047] The separating optical element 1010 is disposed on the optical path between the specimen S and one of the combining optical elements 140, more specifically, on the optical path between the objective optical system 111 and one of the combining optical elements 140. The separating optical element 1010 separates the light beam from the specimen S toward one of the combining optical elements 140 and the image capturing element 1030, and guides at least a portion of the light beam from the specimen S to the image capturing element 1030. The separating optical element 1010 is, for example, a half mirror or a beam splitter. The image capturing optical system 1020 forms an image of the light beam from the specimen S separated by the separating optical element 1010 on the image capturing element 1030. The image capturing element 1030 is, for example, a CCD, and captures the image of the specimen S formed by the image capturing optical system 1020.

[0048] In the observation device 1000, for example, a PC controls the display device 120 to display an image of the specimen S captured by the image sensor 1030 or information based on the analysis results thereof as auxiliary information, allowing the observer to simultaneously observe with both eyes an image of a display pattern representing the auxiliary information and an image of the specimen S. The observation device 1000 configured in this way also satisfies at least the NA condition, and can thereby obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[0049] [Eleventh embodiment] The observation device according to this embodiment is the observation device according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments, further comprising a binocular tube arranged closer to the observation optical system 110 than the eyepiece optical system 150, and a portion of the binocular tube is used as a combining optical element that combines the light beam from the specimen S and the light beam from the display device 120. Accordingly, the display device 120 and the display projection optical system 130 are also provided within the binocular tube. Note that the portion of the binocular tube is an example of a folding optical system that splits the light beams to the observer's eyes and enables eye distance adjustment. The binocular tube is configured to include, for example, multiple prisms, some of which are used as a combining optical element. Furthermore, the observation device according to this embodiment is equipped with two eyepiece optical systems 150 due to the inclusion of the binocular tube.

[0050] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a binocular tube of an observation device according to this embodiment. The binocular tube illustrated in FIG. 14 includes multiple prisms 1110, two display devices 120, and two display-projection optical systems 130. Some of the prisms 1110 are used as a combining optical element that combines a light beam directed toward one of the observer's eyes with a light beam from one of the display devices 120, and another part of the prisms 1110 is used as a combining optical element that combines a light beam directed toward the other of the observer's eyes with a light beam from the other display device 120. This allows the observer to simultaneously observe an image of the sample S and an image of the display pattern with both eyes. With this configuration, even if the binocular tube includes two display devices 120 and two display-projection optical systems 130, the binocular tube can be realized without changing the tube length, thereby making the device configuration compact.

[0051] 15 and 16 are diagrams illustrating other configurations of the binocular tube of the observation device according to this embodiment. Both of the binocular tubes illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 include multiple prisms 1120 (1120a or 1120b), a display device 120, a display / projection optical system 130, and a camera 1130 (including an imaging optical system and an imaging element) connected to a PC. Some of the multiple prisms 1120 are used as a combining optical element that combines a light beam directed toward one eye of the observer with a light beam from the display device 120, and other parts of the multiple prisms 1120 are used as an optical separator (which can also be called a separating optical element) for guiding at least a portion of the light beam from the sample S to the camera 1130.

[0052] In the observation device according to this embodiment, for example, a PC controls the display device 120 to display an image of the specimen S captured by the camera 1130 or information based on the analysis results of the image as auxiliary information, so that although the observer can only observe the image of the display pattern representing the auxiliary information with one eye, the observer can simultaneously observe the image of the display pattern and the image of the specimen S. An observation device configured in this way also satisfies at least the NA condition, and thereby can obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[0053] [Twelfth embodiment] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of an eyepiece optical system 150 of an observation device according to this embodiment. The observation device according to this embodiment is, for example, an observation device according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 17, in which a refractive surface 150a of a lens included in the eyepiece optical system 150 is used as a combining optical element that combines a light beam from the specimen S and a light beam from the display device 120. This refractive surface 150a is coated with, for example, a film that transmits a portion of the light beam from the specimen S and reflects a portion of the light beam from the display device 120 (the light beam from the display device 120 projected by the display projection optical system 130). Note that the light beam from the display device 120 may be configured to be incident on the refractive surface 150a as a scanning beam that is scanned as a light beam that is focused on the refractive surface 150a.

[0054] 18 and 19 are diagrams illustrating a specific configuration of an eyepiece optical system 150 of the observation device according to this embodiment. In the eyepiece optical system 150 illustrated in FIG. 18, the refracting surface 150a on the observer side of the second lens from the observer side is used as a combining optical element. In the eyepiece optical system 150 illustrated in FIG. 19, the refracting surface 150a on the observer side of the first lens from the observer side is used as a combining optical element. The refracting surface 150a used as a combining optical element in this way may be a refracting surface inside the eyepiece optical system 150, or it may be the refracting surface closest to the observer. Note that in the observation device according to this embodiment, the refracting surface 150a of the lens included in the eyepiece optical system 150 is used as a combining optical element. However, for example, the refracting surface of a lens included in the observation optical system 110 may also be used as a combining optical element.

[0055] An observation apparatus with such a configuration also satisfies at least the NA condition, and can thereby obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[0056] [Thirteenth embodiment] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a part of the observation apparatus according to the present embodiment. The observation apparatus according to the present embodiment is, for example, the observation apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 20, on the optical path between the eyepiece optical system 150, where the light beam from the specimen S becomes a substantially parallel light beam, and the observer's eye E, a diffractive light guiding element 1310 is disposed and used as a synthetic optical element that synthesizes the light beam from the specimen S and the light beam from the display device 120.

[0057] The diffractive light guiding element 1310 is, for example, a hologram light guiding plate used in smart glasses or the like. In the diffractive light guiding element 1310, the light beam from the display device 120 (the light beam from the display device 120 projected by the display projection optical system 130) is incident, repeatedly undergoes diffractive reflection inside, and is synthesized with the light beam from the specimen S. As a result, the image of the specimen S and the image of the display pattern are projected on the retina of the observer or as a virtual image conjugate with the primary image. Note that the light beam from the display device 120 may be configured to be incident on the refracting surface 150a as a scanning beam. Thus, in the observation apparatus according to the present embodiment, since the light beam from the specimen S and the light beam from the display device 120 are synthesized after the light beam from the specimen S passes through the eyepiece optical system 150, the position of the image after the light beam synthesis can also be referred to as the position of the virtual image.

[0058] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the observation apparatus according to the present embodiment satisfies the NA condition at the position of the virtual image. In FIG. 21, in the light beam extended assuming that the eyepiece optical system 150 is not present for the light beam incident on the observer's eye E, what corresponds to the NA of the light beam from the display device 120 is shown as NAdv, what corresponds to the maximum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S is shown as NAsvmax, and what corresponds to the minimum value of the NA of the light beam from the specimen S is shown as NAsvmin. A state where NAsminv < NAdv < NAsmaxv, that is, a state satisfying the NA condition, is illustrated at the position of the virtual image. Thus, the observation apparatus according to the present embodiment also satisfies the NA condition, and the above-described effects can be obtained thereby.

[0059] ​In the observation device according to this embodiment, the arrangement position of the diffractive light-guiding element 1310 is not limited to on the optical path between the ocular optical system 150 and the observer's eye E, and may be at another position as long as it is on the optical path where the light beam from the specimen S is a substantially parallel light beam. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing another arrangement example of the diffractive light-guiding element 1310. In the arrangement example shown in Fig. 22, the diffractive light-guiding element 1310 is arranged on the optical path between the objective optical system 111 and the imaging optical system 112, where the light beam from the specimen S is a substantially parallel light beam.

[0060] [Fourteenth embodiment] Fig. 23 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an observation device 1400 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 23, the observation device 1400 is, for example, an observation device according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments, in which a DCRA (Dihedral Corner Reflector Array) 1410 is arranged on the optical path between the eyepiece optical system 150 and the observer's eye E, where the light beam from the specimen S becomes a substantially parallel light beam, and this is used as a combining optical element that combines the light beam from the specimen S and the light beam from the display device 120. Note that in Fig. 23, a configuration including at least the observation optical system 110 and the eyepiece optical system 150 is shown as a microscope element 1420.

[0061] The DCRA 1410 relays not only the image but also the exit pupil 1420a of the microscope element 1420, so that the observer can observe the image of the specimen S by placing the pupil of the eye E at the position of the relayed exit pupil. Furthermore, the display device 120 and the display projection optical system 130 are disposed opposite the observer's eye E, with the DCRA 1410 in between, so that the observer can observe the image of the display pattern via the DCRA 1410. This allows the observer to simultaneously observe the image of the specimen S and the image of the display pattern. An observation device 1400 configured in this manner also satisfies at least the NA condition, thereby achieving the above-mentioned effects.

[0062] [Fifteenth embodiment] Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrating a part of the observation device according to this embodiment. The observation device according to this embodiment is, for example, the observation device according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments, as illustrated in Fig. 24, in which a diffuser 1510 is placed at the position of the primary image (or at a position conjugate to the primary image) and used as a combining optical element that combines the light beam from the specimen S and the light beam from the display device 120.

[0063] The diffuser plate 1510 transmits a part of the light beam from the specimen S and scatters and reflects a part of the light beam from the display device 120 (the light beam from the display device 120 projected by the display projection optical system 130), thereby combining the light beam from the specimen S with the light beam from the display device 120. The light beam from the display device 120 may be configured to be incident on the diffuser plate 1510 as a scanning beam.

[0064] An observation apparatus with such a configuration also satisfies at least the NA condition, and can thereby obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[0065] [16th embodiment] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a portion of an observation device according to this embodiment. The observation device according to this embodiment is, for example, any one of the observation devices according to the first to seventh embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 25 , in which a transmissive display device 1610 connected to a PC is disposed at the position of the primary image (or a position conjugate with the primary image), and is used instead of the display device 120, the display / projection optical system 130, and the combining optical element 140. The transmissive display device 1610 has a plurality of light-emitting points arranged two-dimensionally, and displays various display patterns by controlling the on / off and brightness of each light-emitting point by the PC. The transmissive display device 1610 is, for example, an organic electroluminescence (EL) device or a micro-light-emitting diode (LED). This allows the observer to simultaneously observe an image of the specimen S and an image of the display pattern displayed by the transmissive display device 1610.

[0066] The above-described embodiments are illustrative examples provided to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Modifications and alternatives to the above-described embodiments may be included. In other words, the components of each embodiment may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, new embodiments may be implemented by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, some components may be deleted from, or some components may be added to, the components shown in each embodiment. In other words, the observation device of the present invention may be subject to various modifications and alterations without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0067] In the above-described embodiments, the observation optical system 110 (more specifically, the objective optical system 111, 311) may further include a variable magnification optical system that changes the observation magnification. Furthermore, the observation apparatus according to the above-described embodiments is not limited to the observation apparatuses 100, 400, and may also be a microscope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 Observation device 600, 700, 900, 1000, 1400 Observation device 110 Observation optical system 111, 311 Objective optical system 112, 312 Imaging optical system 120 Display device 130 Display projection optical system 140 Synthetic Optical Elements 150 Eyepiece optical system 150a Refractive Surface 210, 410, 610, 1010 Separation optical element 220, 420, 620, 1020 imaging optical system 230, 430, 630, 1030 image sensor 310 Primary Imaging Optical System 320 First Field Lens 330 Second Field Lens 440 Reflective Mirror 910 Display separation optical element 1110, 1120a, 1120b Multiple prisms 1130 Camera 1310 Diffractive light guide element 1410 DCRA 1420 Microscope Elements 1420a Exit Pupil 1510 Diffuser 1610 Transparent display device. S specimen E-eye D Dust and scratches I1, I2 statue

Claims

1. an observation optical system that focuses a light beam from a specimen to form an image of the specimen; a display device that displays a display pattern; a display projection optical system that projects a light beam from the display device and forms an image of the display pattern at a position where the image of the specimen is formed; a combining optical element that combines the light beam from the sample and the light beam from the display device; an eyepiece optical system that allows an observer to simultaneously observe an image of the sample and an image of the display pattern; Equipped with At the position of an image on the optical path after the light beams are combined by the combining optical element, the NA of the light beam from the display device is smaller than the maximum value of the NA of the light beam from the sample and is larger than the minimum value of the NA of the light beam from the sample. An observation device characterized by:

2. an image on the optical path after the light beams are combined by the combining optical element includes a virtual image formed by the eyepiece optical system; 2. The observation device according to claim 1 .

3. When a distance from the display device to an optical member of the display projection optical system that is closest to the display device is defined as WD, an NA of a light beam that the display projection optical system takes in from the display device is defined as α, and a radius of a circle that circumscribes a display area of ​​the display device is defined as R, the following conditional formula (1) is satisfied:

3. The observation device according to claim 1 or 2. WD×α>R / 10 (1)

4. an imaging element for capturing an image of the specimen; an imaging optical system that forms an image of the light beam from the sample on the imaging element; a separation optical element that guides at least a portion of the light beam from the sample to the image sensor; Further provided with The separating optical element is disposed on an optical path between the sample and the combining optical element.

3. The observation device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. When an imaging range on the specimen by the imaging element is Dc and an observation range on the specimen by the observation optical system is Do, the following conditional expression (2) is satisfied:

5. The observation device according to claim 4. 0.5<Dc / Do<2.0 (2)

6. When the size of each pixel of the display device is Ppro, the size of each pixel of the image sensor is Pc, the projection magnification from the specimen to the image sensor is MGc, the projection magnification from the display device to the position of the image of the specimen is MGpro, and the projection magnification from the specimen to the position of the image of the specimen is MGo, the following conditional formula (3) is satisfied:

6. The observation device according to claim 4 or 5. Ppro×MGpro>Pc×MGo / MGc (3)

7. The observation optical system includes: a primary imaging optical system that forms an intermediate image conjugate with the image of the specimen formed by the observation optical system; a first field lens that converts a light beam from the intermediate image into a substantially parallel light beam; a second field lens that focuses the substantially parallel light beam and forms an image of the specimen formed by the observation optical system; Equipped with the combining optical element is disposed on an optical path between the first field lens and the second field lens.

5. The observation device according to claim 1, 2 or 4.

8. the display projection optical system converts a light beam from the display device into a substantially parallel light beam; the focal length of the display projection optical system is shorter than the focal length of the second field lens; 8. The observation device according to claim 7.

9. The observation optical system includes: an objective optical system that converts a light beam from the specimen into a substantially parallel light beam; an imaging optical system that forms an image of the specimen by imaging the substantially parallel light beam and the observation optical system; Equipped with the combining optical element is disposed on an optical path between the objective optical system and the imaging optical system; 5. The observation device according to claim 1, 2 or 4.

10. The observation optical system includes: a primary imaging optical system that forms an intermediate image conjugate with the image of the specimen formed by the observation optical system; a first field lens that converts a light beam from the intermediate image into a substantially parallel light beam; a second field lens that forms an image of the sample by the observation optical system by focusing the substantially parallel light beam converted by the first field lens; Equipped with The primary imaging optical system is an objective optical system that converts light from the specimen into a substantially parallel beam; an imaging optical system that forms an image of the substantially parallel light beam converted by the objective optical system and forms the intermediate image formed by the primary imaging optical system; Equipped with the combining optical element is disposed on an optical path between the objective optical system and the imaging optical system; 5. The observation device according to claim 1, 2 or 4.

11. a binocular separating optical element for separating a light beam to each of the left and right eyes of the observer; the binocular separating optical element is disposed closer to the observer than the combining optical element; 5. The observation device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, wherein:

12. Further comprising a display separation optical element that separates a light beam from the display device, the display separating optical element is disposed closer to the display device than the combining optical element; 10. The observation device according to claim 9.

13. the combining optical element is a folding optical system that enables the observer to adjust the pupil distance; 5. The observation device according to claim 1, 2 or 4.

14. the combining optical element is a refractive surface of a lens included in the observation optical system or the eyepiece optical system, and reflects a part of the light beam from the display device and transmits a part of the light beam from the sample.

5. The observation device according to claim 1, 2 or 4.

15. The combining optical element is a diffractive light-guiding element disposed in a substantially parallel light beam.

5. The observation device according to claim 1, 2 or 4.

16. The observation optical system includes: an objective optical system that converts a light beam from the specimen into a substantially parallel light beam; an imaging optical system that forms an image of the specimen by imaging the substantially parallel light beam and the observation optical system; Equipped with the combining optical element is disposed on an optical path between the objective optical system and the imaging optical system; 16. The observation device according to claim 15.

17. the composite optical element is disposed on an optical path between the eyepiece optical system and the observer's eye; 16. The observation device according to claim 15.

18. The combining optical element is a DCRA arranged in a substantially parallel light beam.

5. The observation device according to claim 1, 2 or 4.

19. the combining optical element is a diffusion plate that transmits a part of the light beam from the specimen and scatters and reflects a part of the light beam from the display device, and is disposed at a position of the image of the specimen formed by the observation optical system or at a position conjugate to the position; 5. The observation device according to claim 1, 2 or 4.

20. the observation optical system includes a plurality of objective lenses with different magnifications, and an objective lens to be inserted into the optical path can be selected from the plurality of objective lenses.

20. The observation device according to claim 1, wherein the observation device is a microscope.

21. the observation optical system includes a variable magnification optical system; 21. The observation device according to claim 1, wherein the observation device is a microscope.

22. The observation device is a microscope.

22. The observation device according to claim 1, wherein the observation device is a microscope.

23. The observation optical system includes a plurality of objective lenses with different magnifications and / or NAs, The maximum value of the NA of the light beam from the sample and the minimum value of the NA of the light beam from the sample are determined by the magnifications and / or NA of the plurality of objective lenses.

2. The observation device according to claim 1 .

Images