Patent ID: 8223428
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A microscope comprising: an objective-lens switching mechanism equipped with a plurality of objective lenses and configured to rotate to switch from one objective lens positioned on an optical axis to another objective lens among the plurality of objective lenses; a stage for placing a specimen; a switching entering unit that enters a driving force for rotating the objective-lens switching mechanism to switch the objective lenses; a retraction operation mechanism that, along with operation of the switching entering unit, performs a retraction operation for increasing a relative distance between the objective-lens switching mechanism and the stage in an optical axis direction, a maintaining operation for maintaining a state in which the relative distance is increased, and a return operation for shortening the relative distance; and a sequential operation mechanism that is selectively driven along with the operation of the switching entering unit to thereby rotate the objective-lens switching mechanism for switching the objective lenses during the maintaining operation performed by the retraction operation mechanism.