Patent ID: 7576911
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A microscope illuminator system providing at least two illumination modes, the illuminator comprising an illumination source, a condenser lens system, a condenser field iris diaphragm, a diffuser, and a second iris diaphragm, the diffuser being located between the illumination source and the condenser lens system, the condenser field iris diaphragm being located proximal to the condenser lens system with respect to the diffuser, and the second iris diaphragm being located distal to the condenser lens system with respect to the diffuser, the illumination system having a subject image plane and being reconfigurable between said at least first and second illumination modes with substantially the same elements by displacement of at least one lens within an optical path, a first mode being adapted to achieve critical source illumination and a second mode being adapted to achieve Köhler-type illumination.