DE102008048213A1 - Arrangement for extending beam paths in optical path of optical device, has chamber partially filled with liquid medium and is enclosed by housing, where chamber has entrance window and outlet window for light - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement has a chamber partially filled with a liquid medium and is enclosed by a liquid-impermeable housing (7). The chamber has an inlet window (8) and an outlet window (9) for the light or has a common window for the entrance and the exit of the light. Mechanical or electrical elements are arranged in the chamber. The arrangement is arranged at a suitable location in optical path of an optical device.

Description

The The invention relates to an arrangement for extending the Beam path in optical devices, for example for the imaging beam path of a microscope.

frequently It is necessary that an optical system also has additional functions has to fulfill. These are often more optical Insert components into the beam path firmly or movably, or moving existing or new additional components to change their position in the beam path or their switchability into and out of the beam path to enable out. In many cases, this is enough available space is not sufficient, so that the desired additional function can not be realized in a conventional way.

A Possibility by extending the beam path Gaining space would be through parts of the beam path glass optical elements, but the Geometry and size of these optical elements Restrict the space available would and thus cheaper solutions be excluded.

Optical elements in a liquid, eg. As oil, for the purpose of tempering the same, is for example in polarization interference filters, so-called Lyot filters, from the journal "The Astrophysical Journal", 563, pages 619-620 , known. Here are crystal stages with adjustable polarizers in one, filled with oil with a suitable refractive index space, the oil is not used for beam path extension, but it serves the uniform temperature of the crystals. A suitable oil is a silicone oil with a refractive index n = 1.512. These filters have entrance and exit windows for the light.

For polarization interference filters, as in the journal "Applied Optics", Vol. 14, no. 9, September 1976, pages 2061 to 2066, in particular on page 2062 , The individual elements can be adjusted for example by independent motor drives. The setting of each element can be read by means of a digital encoder.

Out EP 0 907 089 B1 It is also known to realize a refractive index matching by means of oils of suitable refractive indices in a crystal-optical interference filter to reduce reflections at the interfaces, in particular at the transition air / glass, by filling the spaces between the components with oil.

So the invention is based on the object, an arrangement for extension the beam path in optical devices to create in a simple way, space for the arrangement of further optical Components and / or for the change in position of To gain components in the beam path of the devices.

According to the invention this task with a designed according to the features of the main claim Arrangement for extending the beam path in optical Devices solved. In the dependent claims Embodiments and details of the invention are disclosed.

Around the at least partially filled with liquid To be able to position room in the device is this Space advantageous through a liquid-tight housing completed.

So it is advantageous if that the housing in the beam path interchangeable is provided and means for filling and Removal of the liquid medium includes. The housing even the case of the optical device or the housing of a modular part of the device be.

Advantageous for the realization of a desired extension the optical beam path in the device, it is when the liquid medium of oil with a suitable refractive index and a suitable Abbe number, as well as other appropriate suitable properties, such as a suitable Viscosity, having.

Around unwanted reflections or other negative influences as far as possible to avoid the beam path, it is advantageous if that the at least one entrance window and the at least one Exit window for light entry and exit or the common window for entry and exit of the light have suitable properties, which in particular adapted to the properties of the liquid medium.

Advantageous It may also be that the at least one optically active element and / or the liquid medium arranged interchangeably in space are.

One Another advantage of the arrangement may also be that means for temperature control and homogenization of the space trapped, liquid medium and arranged in example in it, are provided at least one optical element. With that you can including constant and / or desired temperature conditions be realized in this room.

It may also be advantageous if the arranged in space elements individually or grup penwise in the beam path switched on or be removed from this.

In order to the operation and handling of the inside of the case arranged elements are made possible from the outside can, it is advantageous if means for introducing Supply lines and means for handling and operation of in the housing arranged adjusting and / or control devices are provided.

So It may also be advantageous to have means for manual and / or motor movement and control of the at least one arranged in space, optical element are provided.

By the arrangement of one with a liquid medium, preferably filled with an oil with suitable properties Space can be an extension of the space through this room guided beam path of the optical device concerned become. Depending on the medium present in the medium Refractive index can have different optical path extensions will be realized. So it is also possible, necessary additional optical elements in the beam path to introduce there where it is not possible without beam extension would. For example, necessary space for Movement of certain elements are created, for example Rotation, tilting or displacement of these elements. Furthermore, can also intermediate image planes within a beam path in optical Moved or placed at positions, where they are more accessible.

The Invention will hereinafter be an embodiment be explained in more detail in the form of a microscope tube, where quite other suitable optical devices for Explanation of the invention could be used. In the drawing show

1 greatly simplifies a conventionally unrealizable microscope tube with two mirrors for a variable viewing angle and

2 simplifies a designed according to the invention microscope tube.

The in 1 shown microscope tube of conventional design includes, inter alia, two mirrors 1 and 2 for the realization of, for example, a variable viewing angle by means of suitable mirror tilting, the arrangement of which occupies a space for which the predetermined focal length of an intended tube lens 3 is not sufficient to from the originating from an object, from a lens (not shown) exiting light in an intermediate image plane 4 (Target position of the image) an intermediate image 5 to create. That through the tube lens 3 generated intermediate image 5 is here at a distance from the desired position of the intermediate image plane 4 which does not allow the intermediate image 5 Ergonomically binocular to look at.

The arrangement for binocular viewing of an image in the intermediate image plane 4 here is representative by an eyepiece 6 shown.

In 2 an arrangement according to the invention for extending the beam path is shown in simplified form using the example of a microscope tube. In this arrangement, one is the tube lens 3 downstream in the beam path, liquid-tight housing 7 in a part of the microscope, here the tube, fixed or interchangeable provided. The interior of the housing 7 is filled with a, suitable properties, having liquid medium through which the beam path of the microscope tube or other optical device is guided. As a liquid medium, for example, an oil or other suitable immersion liquid with a, the other used in the beam path optical components of the microscope tube or the optical device adapted refractive index, which must be sufficient for the proposed optical path extension, and a correspondingly adapted Abbe number and other relevant properties, such. As a suitable viscosity can be used. For the light entrance is an entrance window 8th and for the light exit is an exit window 9 in the wall of the housing 7 provided in suitable places. These windows 8th and 9 have suitable optical properties, which expediently in dependence on the optical parameters of the housing 7 existing liquid and the function of the optical components used in the beam path are selected.

To realize a variable insight are in the housing 7 in an analogous manner to the arrangement according to 1 two mirrors 10 and 11 arranged for beam deflection. By arranging a liquid with a different refractive index of air in the housing 7 a beam path extension is realized, so that by a corresponding deflection of the imaging beam path through in the housing 7 existing radiation-deflecting elements, for example the two mirrors 10 and 11 , now an intermediate picture 12 of the object to be observed (not shown) in the intermediate image plane 4 arises, which then, for example, by an arrangement for binocular viewing, here through the eyepiece 6 shown, ergonomically can be observed.

In the liquid-filled housing 7 Kings NEN in case of need further optical, the beam path guided therein influencing elements such. B. filters, fixed or interchangeable.

Furthermore, means (not shown) for filling and discharging and replacing the liquid medium may also be provided. Furthermore, means may be provided to the housing 7 arranged to adjust the optical and / or electrical and / or mechanical elements manually or by motor in their position. This can also adjustment and / or control devices in the liquid-filled housing 7 be provided.

For the case that a disturbing streaking caused by temperature gradients can also occur inside the liquid Means for uniform temperature control of the entire inventive arrangement with the optionally be provided therein optical elements. These Means can, for. As known per se heating or cooling elements or arrangements which a circulation or circulation of the Cause fluid to be.

The Invention has been described in relation to a particular embodiment described. However, it is obvious for a person skilled in the art that modifications and changes are made can, without losing the scope of the following To leave claims.

1

mirror

2

mirror

3

tube lens

4

Intermediate image plane (Target position of the image)

5

intermediate image

6

eyepiece

7

casing

8th

entrance window

9

exit window

10

mirror

11

mirror

12

intermediate image

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - EP 0907089 B1 [0006]

Cited non-patent literature

• - "The Astrophysical Journal", 563, pages 619-620 [0004]
• - "Applied Optics", Vol. 14, no. 9, September 1976, pages 2061 to 2066, especially at page 2062 [0005]

Claims (10)

Arrangement for extending the beam path in the beam path of optical devices, which is arranged at a suitable location in the beam path of these devices, characterized by - one of a housing ( 7 ) enclosed, at least partially filled with a liquid medium space with at least one entrance window ( 8th ) and at least one exit window ( 9 ) for the light or with a common window for the entry and exit of the light, and at least one arranged in this space, the beam path influencing optical element, including the liquid medium itself - and / or arranged in this space mechanical and / or electrical elements. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the space through a liquid-tight housing ( 7 ) is completed. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing ( 7 ) is provided interchangeable in the beam path and comprises means for filling and removing the liquid medium. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the liquid medium of oil with a suitable refractive index and a suitable Abbe'schen Number exists and has other useful properties. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one entrance window ( 8th ) and the at least one exit window ( 9 ) suitable for the light and the light exit or the common window for the entry and exit of the light, have properties which are adapted to the requirements of the associated optical device and in particular the properties of the liquid medium. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one optically effective Element and / or the liquid medium in the room interchangeable are arranged. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that means for tempering and homogenization of the trapped in space, liquid medium and the optionally arranged therein, at least one optically active Elementes are provided. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the elements arranged in space individually or in groups in the beam path switched or are removable from this. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that means for introducing supply lines and means for handling and operation in the housing ( 7 ) arranged adjusting and / or control means are provided. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that means for manual and / or motor Movement and control of at least one arranged in space, optical element are provided.