Patent ID: 8040596
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An epi-illumination optical system for microscopes, with an objective lens serving also as a condenser lens, comprising: a light source, a collimate lens, a lens array adapted to form an intermediate image of said light source on an exit-side lens surface in the form of a light source image array; a projection optical system adapted to project said light source image array on a back focal position of the objective lens; and a stop, wherein said projection optical system comprises a relay lens movable along substantially an entire range between a pupil position and the stop, exclusive of the pupil position and the stop, such that the relay lens is not moveable to the pupil position or the stop position, in an optical axis direction, and by said relay lens, a position of projection of said light source image array is adjusted to align the position of projection of said light source image array with a back focal position of the objective lens.