Patent ID: 7390997
Filing Date: 2008-06-24
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A microscope comprising: a stage for holding a sample; a stage mover assembly for moving the stage; an optical system for magnifying the sample on the stage; a focus adjuster for adjusting a focus of the optical system on the sample; an optical detector for detecting light through the optical system; a position estimator for estimating a position of the focus of the optical system with respect to the sample, based on the light detected by the optical detector before a relative vibration between the optical system and the sample converges, the relative vibration being caused by a movement of the stage holding the sample by the stage mover assembly; and a controller for controlling the focus adjuster to start adjusting the focus of the optical system on the sample before the relative vibration converges, based on the position of the focus estimated by the position estimator.