Patent ID: 8017903
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An observation apparatus comprising: a stage on which a sample serving as an observation target is placed; a detection unit which detects light from said sample; an imaging optical system which projects the light from said sample onto said detection unit; a light shielding member which covers the whole or a part thereof; an opening provided in the light shielding member; a lid which opens/closes the opening; an open/close detection unit which detects the open/close state of the lid; a dimmer which limits light incident into said detection unit; and a controller which operates said dimmer to reduce the amount of the light incident into said detection unit, when said open/close detection unit detects that said lid has been opened; wherein when it is detected that said lid has been closed from the opened state, photodetection operation or image detection operation is executed at least once in a state where the gain, the exposure time, or the photoelectric conversion efficiency of said detection unit is reduced.