Patent ID: 6348994
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: G02B,H04N

Abstract:
A microscope arrangement for generating a stereoscopic image of an object for viewing by an observer through left and right oculars of a microscope at a frequency greater than a flicker frequency of the human eye, the microscope arrangement comprising:a single microscope objective for imaging said object and defining an imaging beam path as well as an entry pupil and an exit pupil along a single optical channel; illuminating optics for illuminating said object by providing an imaging beam coming from said object and passing through said objective and along said imaging beam path; means for alternately blocking a section of said imaging beam in said imaging beam path on said single optical channel to form two component beams at a clock frequency greater than said flicker frequency of the human eye with said blocking means being disposed at or near said exit pupil or at a position along said imaging beam path which is optically conjugated to said exit pupil, thereby forming a left image and a right image for a stereo pair; means for transmitting said left and right images to said left and right oculars of said microscope for viewing by said observer; said left and right oculars being located on said imaging beam path downstream of said imaging objective; said left and right oculars defining ocular beam paths; said transmitting means comprising a polarizing beam splitter mounted on said imaging beam path downstream of said blocking means; and, said blocking means including means for changing the polarization of the light transmitted to said polarizing beam splitter at said clock frequency so as to cause said left and right images to be transmitted to said left and right oculars with virtually all of the light transmitted to said polarizer beam splitter reaching each of said oculars.